*****

This was my first visit to Regent panto- it will not be my last

I review professionally taking in Birmingham, Wolverhampton, Derby and Lichfield so have much to compare. this was the best panto of the season!

Kai Owen opens the show as(King Rat) and never relents from his dastardly enterprises, always loudly heckled by an affectionately hostile crowd of pensioners, parents and children- the Boothen End has nothing on this!

Christian Patterson stars as Dame. amidst a lavish set and costumes courtesy of the London Palladium . Although a children’s show, Stokies love a bit of sauce, naughtiness and innuendo, and the script provided it with spades.

–

Imagine a male stripper night in Hanley, imagine a crowd of 1600, chanting “We want Dick” and you would be at the Regent!

–

Gina Murray carried the songs with a great voice ,Samaria Castalello as Alice Fitzgerald was beautiful, asssured and sassy,Marlee Jay, as Tommy the Cat, was feline, funny and fertching. You just wanted to take her home and let her snuggle in your lap .

–

Overflowing with greata songs and big production numbers the naughty jokes had the adults roaring the traditional children’s patter had the kids howling too. Being able to maintain a balance between entertaining the kids and the adults at panto is never easy- but the company pulled it off

–

See you next year!