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Sundae · 12-23-2011, 11:10 AM

We timed it perfectly. Enough time to queue up for the toilets, find our seats, for Dani to think she was going to throw up and have to run outside, for me to run after her and instead buy a programme and for all of us to be back in our seats ready for the curtain to rise!

The show starts with John (Robinson Crusoe) in red tights and a red and gold sleeveless vest with Ian Krankie as his father the Captain and Wee Jimmie Krankie as his identical twin brother. The joke there is that Janette Krankie is a tiny auld woman (64 and 4'5"), playing a schoolboy, who barely comes up to John's chest.

The company sing Putting It Together (Sondheim) as they build a wall with JB's face on it (Dani clicked before I did) for him to burst through with trademark exuberance.

The plot is hectic and revolves around set pieces like any panto.
Pete Gallacher is the villain again - note Limes & Dani, the heroine was different. I checked my Aladdin programme. But she fulfilled the same role - young, pretty, Scottish and had a peripheral part. Got to kiss John at the end but was a bit weak and wavey in between.

Robinson Crusoe preferred Man Friday, although the gags were subtle enough not to impact children - many young boys would far prefer to be with their friends than ugh! girls!

There were throw-away lines from the Krankies; the day before they'd been in the newspapers for admitting that at the height of their fame they were swingers and had had multiple partners. Good luck to them, get it while you can!

Wee Jimmie Krankie really made me laugh with "his" solo of Dirrrrty Wee Boy. I think I've heard it before but it might have been a new song. It was just perfect about the ways little boys are dirty (as opposed to women dressed up as boys with an adult's mind!) and rang true to me.

I thought the 3D was as least as good as last year if not better, Limes & Dani not so much. It might have been the angle - they were in the Circle last year and I was in the Stalls. We were all in the Stalls this time.

And a lovely mechanical Kraken! It was pretty full on even as a grown up, I'm impressed by the fortititude of Scottish children.

Some rousing songs, and as Dani said, in duets you could spot the quality of John's voice. It is effortless, clear and true like a bugle.

Robinson Crusoe kisses the mermaid to break the spell and make her a woman.
And the lucky fish got a full on snog! He even touched her bum!

Clap clap clap, a personal thanks from John and we all left with smiles on our faces.

Oh - John asks via his fan forum that people do not sent cards, gifts or flowers for his first night or to wish him luck with his run. Instead he requests that if people want to send anything, instead they donate - even if it is just the cost of a card and a stamp. This year he raised over £800 for Stonewall (last year it was The Dog's Trust of which he is a patron). Everyone who donates has their name recorded and this is passed on to him. One of his staff then picks a name of all those who have donated out of a hat and they get signed goodies.

12-23-2011, 11:10 AM	#8
Sundae polaroid of perfection Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: West Yorkshire Posts: 24,185	PANTOMIME ONLY - Ignore If Not Interested We timed it perfectly. Enough time to queue up for the toilets, find our seats, for Dani to think she was going to throw up and have to run outside, for me to run after her and instead buy a programme and for all of us to be back in our seats ready for the curtain to rise! The show starts with John (Robinson Crusoe) in red tights and a red and gold sleeveless vest with Ian Krankie as his father the Captain and Wee Jimmie Krankie as his identical twin brother. The joke there is that Janette Krankie is a tiny auld woman (64 and 4'5"), playing a schoolboy, who barely comes up to John's chest. The company sing Putting It Together (Sondheim) as they build a wall with JB's face on it (Dani clicked before I did) for him to burst through with trademark exuberance. The plot is hectic and revolves around set pieces like any panto. Pete Gallacher is the villain again - note Limes & Dani, the heroine was different. I checked my Aladdin programme. But she fulfilled the same role - young, pretty, Scottish and had a peripheral part. Got to kiss John at the end but was a bit weak and wavey in between. Robinson Crusoe preferred Man Friday, although the gags were subtle enough not to impact children - many young boys would far prefer to be with their friends than ugh! girls! There were throw-away lines from the Krankies; the day before they'd been in the newspapers for admitting that at the height of their fame they were swingers and had had multiple partners. Good luck to them, get it while you can! Wee Jimmie Krankie really made me laugh with "his" solo of Dirrrrty Wee Boy. I think I've heard it before but it might have been a new song. It was just perfect about the ways little boys are dirty (as opposed to women dressed up as boys with an adult's mind!) and rang true to me. I thought the 3D was as least as good as last year if not better, Limes & Dani not so much. It might have been the angle - they were in the Circle last year and I was in the Stalls. We were all in the Stalls this time. And a lovely mechanical Kraken! It was pretty full on even as a grown up, I'm impressed by the fortititude of Scottish children. Some rousing songs, and as Dani said, in duets you could spot the quality of John's voice. It is effortless, clear and true like a bugle. Robinson Crusoe kisses the mermaid to break the spell and make her a woman. And the lucky fish got a full on snog! He even touched her bum! Clap clap clap, a personal thanks from John and we all left with smiles on our faces. Oh - John asks via his fan forum that people do not sent cards, gifts or flowers for his first night or to wish him luck with his run. Instead he requests that if people want to send anything, instead they donate - even if it is just the cost of a card and a stamp. This year he raised over £800 for Stonewall (last year it was The Dog's Trust of which he is a patron). Everyone who donates has their name recorded and this is passed on to him. One of his staff then picks a name of all those who have donated out of a hat and they get signed goodies. Last edited by Sundae; 12-23-2011 at 11:24 AM.