"ZUMBA!" hollered Ofpants, the official panto watchdog.
And with one bound, he was on his feet and shoogling his checklist to hot salsa rhythms from the band. There aren't many forces in the panto-sphere that can make Ofpants dance ... but when the Zumba-call came to help cast a magicspell, Ofpants didn't hesitate.
Why? Because the terrific trio of talents on-stage – Elaine C Smith (Fairy Flora), Alan McHugh (the Dame and panto script-meister) and Jordan Young (her loonie wee loon Jack) – are powering out so much exuberant fun and cannily-crafted daftness that the watchdog, like the audience around him, just had to join in.
In a way, of course, the audience are already at the heart of McHugh's patter-rich, lively script. Their roars of laughter prove how nicely the local references he's woven into the banter and the songs hit the comedy-spot.
But even without that astute touch this panto would still score stars because of the performances. McHugh's garrulous Dame and Young's wannabe-heroic numpty -– as sparky and larky a seasoned partnership as salt'n'sauce – now have Elaine C Smith adding to their bravura tomfoolery for a third year by readily slipping out of pawky Fairy mode to strut great show-time stuff as Michael Jackson in a Thriller routine or as a stormin' full-on Tina Turner.
From Moo-Moo the Coo-Coo to an impressive Giant with lots of moving parts and a dapper-dastardly Fleshcreep (Tom McGovern) there isn't a weak, or unnecessary element in this fast-paced, good-looking show. "Zumba – it's a magic word for a magic family panto," declared Ofpants, and the spring in his step said it all, really.
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