Little Red Riding Hood at the Everyman Theatre, Liverpool Review
Little Red Riding Hood
Everyman, Liverpool
29 November 2014 to 17 January 2015
Reviewed by Linzi Davies
Panto season is upon us and I grabbed the opportunity to review the Rock and Roll version of the old classic Little Red Riding Hood with both hands. Myself, partner and daughter, Evie aged 8 years, headed over to Liverpool last night armed with sweets and smiles and picked up our tickets from the box office. Seated in row BB 22, 23, and 24 we were excited that our seats were only two rows from the front and we were not disappointed with the fabulous view we had, Evie in particular with nobody sat in front of her.
The theatre for those that haven’t been, myself included, is newly redeveloped and has a dynamic, enthralling edge and feel to it. The light and airy feel to the building is big enough to create an encompassing atmosphere yet small enough to create a uniquely intimate experience.
The set design was extremely professionally done, the ice house on the right, twinkling with stars, Granny’s House detailed with spiders webs and apple trees whilst the upper centre of the stage was a screen cleverly secreted within the other scenery which enabled moving pictures such as clouds or even the Laughing Gnome to be projected towards the audience.
The show started with Pippy Petal, (the Spring Fairy) being lowered from the rafters and the basic gist of the story was that she wanted to ensure that the world wasn’t lost forever in the freezing conditions that Blanche the Winter Witch and her brother Wolferine was trying to force upon everybody by stealing Petal’s magic wings. This coupled with the romantic love story of Red and Skye and her father Woody and his love ‘target’ Betty (the very stubbly yet beautiful Panto dame) led to a very hilarious and at times slightly risqué plot.
The most impressive part of the show for me was the fact that the ten actors not only played a number of parts each but also that they themselves were the band and what an amazingly talented lot they were. Not limited to one instrument, almost every member of the team played drums, keyboard, electric guitar, bass, bongos and the saxophone, that’s without the endless list of percussion instruments too. All I can say is WOW!
The plot flowed seamlessly with adlib now and then from Woody (Adam Keast) who was Rick Mayll like in his mannerisms and humour, the innuendo was far enough above the children’s’ head but caused belly laughing amongst the adults. The kids loved the parts were Oranges and Lemons rescued Betty’s Pageant day punch with Super Soakers filled with water, a refreshing cool down for a number of the audience, Evie included.
There were songs to please both old and young with many classics, (David Bowies, Laughing Gnome) and Tutti Frutti coupled with the more up to date Happy and All About That Base.
As always good triumphed over evil and love won through when Skye escaped the Winter Witches attempts to turn him into a Wolf and finally overcame his embarrassing use of the word ‘Potato’ when asking Red to be his girlfriend and Woody and Betty also found true love with each other. The comic capers and moments are too long to list and I would certainly suggest for a fabulous laugh out loud, musically inspiring Pantomime book before it finishes on the 17 January 2015.
Suitable for young and old alike. A rip roaring, belly laughing, sing-along.
Rating: 5/5 
Suitable age: 3 years +
Running time: 2¾ hours (includes interval)
Tickets cost from £12 to £26, family tickets (2 adults, 2 children) £54 to £94
Little Red Riding Hood is at the Everyman Theatre in Liverpool until 17 January 2015. For more information or to book tickets click here or call the box office on 0151 709 4776.
Liverpool Everyman. 5-11 Hope Street, Liverpool, L1 9BH | 0151 709 4776
