billy the kid: a Panto westernBy John Savournin and David Eaton
First performed on 28th November 2014 at The Rosemary Branch Theatre, Islington Mosey on down to The Rosey B Ranch for Charles Court's eighth rip snortin', whip crackin' panto - a legendary part of North London's Christmas, known throughout the land as The Fastest Draw in the East for old timers right down to l'il chickadees.
what they said..."People have been telling me for years that I ought to see Charles Court Opera at work, and at last I made it. And frankly, if you want a boutique small-scale panto, this is the classy one. The small children were beside themselves and the energy, musicality and disciplined daftness had adults whooping and cheering... Lovely…"
★★★★ Libby Purves - theatrecat.com Read full review here |
Director/Choreographer: John Savournin
Musical Director: David Eaton Set Design: William Fricker Costume Design: Mia Walden Lighting Design: Nicholas Holdridge Additional choreography: Damian Czarnecki Original Cast:
Buckaroo Dan Joanna Marie Skillett Nelly Knockers John Savournin Mumford Bruce Graham Pocabeaver Nichola Jolley Sheriff Ranger Amy J Payne Billy The Kid Matthew Kellett |
TIME OUT CRITIC'S CHOICE!
1 OF TOP 10 CHRISTMAS PANTOS IN THE TIMES!
"A pop up pocket sized panto with all the trimmings"
★★★★★
Read it: remotegoat.com
"The Wild West so camp it makes Carry On Cowboy look like Unforgiven... ticks all the boxes"
★★★★
Time Out
"What is so exceptional is the wonderful singers"
★★★★★
Islington/Hackney Gazette
"Quite possibly the best panto in London...Be prepared to beg like you've never begged before for a seat."
★★★★★
Read it: Grumpy Gay Critic
"I would urge anyone who is troubled about the meaning of life to go and see it, and be cured!”
★★★★
Read it: Playstosee.com
"hits a level of quality that really is extraordinary…"
★★★★
Read it: gingerhibiscus.com
"If there’s one panto that you take in over Christmas, this should be the one: Charles Court’s Christmas jollys are a seasonal hot ticket – (a) because the parodies are brilliant, (b) because they’re so well sung, and (c) because the opera singer John Savournin makes a disconcertingly good dame.
Unmissable."
Ham & High - Michael White
"William Fricker’s exquisite set design is a constant delight... As smart a Wild West panto as you are likely to get"
The Stage
Read full review here
"Fight for a ticket then take out your life insurance; you might die of laughing."
Read it: British Theatre Guide
"...above all it has Mr Savournin, who really should be up there with the great pantomime dames."
Read it: Reviews Gate
"I felt like I was at this year’s biggest and best Christmas party."
★★★★★
Read it: londontheatre1.com
★★★★
Read it: toplondontheatre.com
★★★★
Read it: everythingtheatre
1 OF TOP 10 CHRISTMAS PANTOS IN THE TIMES!
"A pop up pocket sized panto with all the trimmings"
★★★★★
Read it: remotegoat.com
"The Wild West so camp it makes Carry On Cowboy look like Unforgiven... ticks all the boxes"
★★★★
Time Out
"What is so exceptional is the wonderful singers"
★★★★★
Islington/Hackney Gazette
"Quite possibly the best panto in London...Be prepared to beg like you've never begged before for a seat."
★★★★★
Read it: Grumpy Gay Critic
"I would urge anyone who is troubled about the meaning of life to go and see it, and be cured!”
★★★★
Read it: Playstosee.com
"hits a level of quality that really is extraordinary…"
★★★★
Read it: gingerhibiscus.com
"If there’s one panto that you take in over Christmas, this should be the one: Charles Court’s Christmas jollys are a seasonal hot ticket – (a) because the parodies are brilliant, (b) because they’re so well sung, and (c) because the opera singer John Savournin makes a disconcertingly good dame.
Unmissable."
Ham & High - Michael White
"William Fricker’s exquisite set design is a constant delight... As smart a Wild West panto as you are likely to get"
The Stage
Read full review here
"Fight for a ticket then take out your life insurance; you might die of laughing."
Read it: British Theatre Guide
"...above all it has Mr Savournin, who really should be up there with the great pantomime dames."
Read it: Reviews Gate
"I felt like I was at this year’s biggest and best Christmas party."
★★★★★
Read it: londontheatre1.com
★★★★
Read it: toplondontheatre.com
★★★★
Read it: everythingtheatre