"Robin Hood & The Babes In The Wood" by The Young Performers.

Duchess Theatre, Long Eaton.

And the pantomimes keep on coming, and this is the first ever pantomime that The Young Performers have ever taken on.

Written by Tricia Freer and Barbara Moran, it's full of local name checks with many of the songs used parodied to create an even more localised production.

Sir Guy Of Gisborne wants to marry Maid Marian but his feelings of matrimony are not reciprocated by Maid Marion, so Gisborne decides that, with a little help from The Sheriff Of Nottingham, he will force her hand by kidnapping Marion's nephew and niece, Jack and Jill, and hold them to ransom until she marries him, planning to release them after the ring is on her finger. But this is Pantomime, and things never turn out right for the baddies!

This is a cracking cast, involving several young actors who I've seen in previous productions, and to say that this is their first time performing in panto, they really mastered the special skills needed for this style of production.

Heidi Parsons plays Robin Hood, of course the hero of the piece with his Maid Marion played by Emily Wilkins. Emily performs a lovely version of Ellie Goulding's hit "How Long Will I Love You".

The kidnapped Jack and Jill are played by Dylan Coxon and Emmie Simmons; a feisty pair of young actors.

Sir Guy Of Gisborne is played by Finn Boswell, and what a well cast pair Finn and Will Mellor, who plays The Sheriff Of Nottingham, make. Straight away Will goes for the comedy jugular by appearing on stage as a Western style Sheriff, complete with cowboy hat and badge and talking with a Western accent. Both young men hamming it up wonderfully in true panto style.

Another well paired duo are Chilly Will and Sorely - have you spotted the location nods? This pair are Gisborne and The Sheriff's henchmen. Chilly is played by Ella Charlesworth and Sorely by Millie Weston who also provided  a lot of the dance sections as a pair.

Robin's men were played by Remy-Mae Read (Alan A Dale), Jamie Higgins (Little John), Finlay Tomlinson (Will Scarlet) and a very comical Lewis McDowall (Friar Tuck). Finlay and Lewis even took over with a bit of ad-libbing with two audience members on stage during the singalong section. They conducted the obligatory audience participation section, splitting the audience into half to see who could sing the loudest, and did it really well to say that this form of theatre is very new to them performance wise. It didn't come as any surprise though as this pair always have a bundle of confidence when on stage.

Lexie-Mae Hart plays Airywish - doesn't that sound a little bit like Erewash? - the Good Fairy, who always arrives to help out to win the day.

King Richard appears in the second half, and a strong performance by Violet Graney.

Livvy Read plays Maud Opey - another clever pun don't you think? - the hapless daughter of Mistress Opey - who doesn't work in a launderette before you go that far. There's a really comical section when the wonderful Dame character Mistress is trying to "glow up" Maud in order to attract a husband.

Dillan Brooks is a brilliant Dame and throws himself fully into the character of the Dame, delivering some funny jokes, some corny jokes, some which only the mums and dads would get, and some that got the children belly laughing. All in the best possible taste and tradition of pantomime. Dillan performs a very well thought out parody of Morecambe & Wise's "Bring Me Sunshine" when describing his late husband in song.

Pim, who has applied for the assistant to Mephistopheles, is played by Lucie Artiss, but she ends up crossing over from the dark side to be headhunted by Airywish.

And talking of Mephistopheles, the evil element in this pantomime, this role is played by Alex Povey. Now, I rarely choose any young actor over another, but Alex just blew me away with his characterisation of this devilish character. Alex exploded on stage with such brilliant projection in his voice, his eyes wildly roaming the audience, filled to the brim with confidence. It looked as if Alex was relishing this part and extracted such noisy boos from the audience every time he strode into view. My favourite character actor tonight.

There was a running, or should that be cantering, joke throughout the panto with the pantomime horse appearing and being told that there wasn't a horse in that particular scene. Playing a pantomime horse is by no means easy because both parts need to move in complete unison to make the horse look realistic, and this pair have obviously done a lot of spade work to get this synchronicity so good. There is another joke that you have to watch out for when Jess Henshaw and Lucy Coulson-Jones come on stage to take their bows. I won't say what it is, but look what is written on the T Shirts!

The Fairies are played by Clarissa Armitage, Lottie Ellis, Molly Price and Neve Johnson.

The Townspeople are played by AJ Chamberlain, Amelia-Rose Forecast, Carly Gaunt, Emily-Mae Taylor, Isabella Frampton, Isobel Pickering, Keeley Richardson, Olivia Monk, Sophie Longcroft and Elijah Green.

Directed by Vicky Byrne, who last wore the Director hat a couple of years ago for "High School Musical". As I said panto is a whole different piece of work to a stage play or a musical, but Vicky is so well versed in panto, musical and stage work that she brings together everything that she knows to make sure that this production is nothing short of being a success.

Choreographed by Lottie Ludlow, and there's a lot of choreography to see in this panto. Lottie makes her Young Performers  choreographical (is there such a word?) debut. The cast seem to have really took on all of Lottie's ideas, and a little bird tells me that they also added some of their own ideas, and mixed them all up to deliver this song and dance sensation.

There are some fabulous costumes in this panto, especially Mephistopheles' coat, all provided by Sarah Charlesworth, Andy Cook and friends of the group.

There are loads of songs in this pantomime, some parodied, like the opening number "Good Morning Nottingham", a clever parody of "We Will Rock You" for Robin Hood and his Merry Men, plus songs by Elton John and Kiki Dee, Bryan Adams, Taylor Swift, Dua Lipa, Cher, Petula Clark, Take That and more.

The set design is by Roydon Charlesworth, who is also the Stage Manager. One of the backdrops is a scene showing the entrance to Nottingham Castle, again bringing the panto to a local setting.

Dave Martin is in charge of the lighting, so we know that there's no worries in that department, and there wasn't anything for me to report on in this area.

One area that The Young Performers are passionate about  is the technical side of theatre and the sound side of this show is in the hands of the trainee techies, and they did a really good job of it. I appreciate that with such a large cast, not every young person on stage can have a mic, so there were a few of the actors who weren't heard as clear as some of the others who were amplified, but that is something out of their hands. What they did have control of was done really well, so a big mention for Eva O' Riordan, Gizel Chaparova, Lewis Cuthbert, Maddie Taft and Olivia Michaud - the future of sound operation and design for the future looks good.

Just take a look at this cast as a whole when they take their final bows and you'll see just how much they have enjoyed performing pantomime. Probably nearly as much as the opening night audience on Thursday enjoyed watching this fantastic clutch of Young performers.

"Robin Hood & The Babes In the Wood" is at The Duchess Theatre in Long Eaton until Saturday 18 January.

 "A Fete Worse Than Death" by Richard James.

Bonington Players.

Bonington Theatre.

Billed as a murder/mystery/comedy, the story is a simple one, or that's what I initially thought! During a village fete a murder is committed and it just so happens that the "celebrity" chosen to open the fete is none other than a TV detective, Inspector Brady. Well, who better to solve the murder than a detective? There are many of the village folk who would have grounds to dislike Malcolm, but who would it be, and why? Jealousy? Infidelity? Revenge? Marrow envy? Take your pick, but can Brady solve the clues and get his man... or woman?

Malcolm is the contender for Thornton's biggest marrow, Molly, as well as the newly appointed Chairman of the fete committee. We find out that he is not a very nice man at all and has amassed quite a few enemies, so it's not going to be an easy task to whittle down the suspects for his demise! Eddie Januszczyk plays Eddie whose self-importance and pride is made obvious. So obvious that it's difficult to work out who wouldn't want to do him in.

His wife, Bunny, is played by Charlotte Hukin. Completely overlooked by Malcolm, who pays more attention to the size of his marrow than his wife, who we discover has looked elsewhere for attention, making a possible two suspects straight off. Bunny, probably as indicated by her name, is rather posh, and does not like being overlooked by Malcolm. Love the accent that is used for this character.

Nigel, played by Adrian Bacon, is an historical re-enactor, and has embarked on an affair with Bunny, although you get the feeling that he is taking the affair much more seriously than Bunny is at times. Could jealousy be a strong enough motive for Nigel to re-enact a murder scene? Brilliant costume for Adrian, but I bet he is just a tad warm under all that fur!

The fete organiser is Trish, played by Abi Taylor. While she does all the spadework for the event, Malcolm likes to take all the credit. In the play we find out that, even after all the time and effort Trish has put into the fetes over the year, she seems to have been stabbed in the back by the other committee members when they voted for Malcolm as the new Chairman. Has Trish had enough of being Malcolm's doormat, and has the virtual stabbing in the back made her re-enact the act literally?

Father Mike is the vicar, and a rival to Malcolm in the size of his marrow stakes. Just how important is it to the vicar to usurp Malcolm? They seems to be a few skeletons in the vicarage closet, and why does coffee play such an important part in his quest to win the largest marrow contest? God only knows, but is all we discover about this man of the cloth enough to send Malcolm to his maker? Alex Brimelow dons the dog collar and plays out a quite trendy vicar.

Miss Parmenter is the spinster of the Parish, and a budding Miss Marple. She loves the Inspector Brady character and TV series and has learnt all that she knows about being an armchair sleuth from watching Ray Martin in the role of Brady. Michelle Bellamy is quite meticulous as Violet Parmenter as she dissects everything to do with the crime, proving that you can pick up lots of useful tips by watching TV.

The "star" of the fete is Ray Martin, a fictional TV detective Inspector Brady, who has been hired to open the fete and judge the local produce. When the dastardly deed has been committed, everyone looks to the TV detective to solve the mystery. Have they forgotten that he is only a TV actor, and not really a detective? Can he solve the mystery without a script? Wayne Hill plays the TV celebrity, who grasps every opportunity to line his own pockets, charging a fiver for a selfie, I ask you, but is he, and his biggest fan Violet, able to solve the riddle of the deathly fete? Or should that be fate?

Directed by Chris Gardner, who also designed the incredibly good set. It's all set inside a marquee, where you can also see outside to where the village green will be. There are tables of everything that you'd expect at one of these fetes, jam, vegetables, cakes, the raffle stall, and I have it on very good authority that everything, well almost everything, on show is edible. 

The amount of props for this production is massive. The set dressing is also spot on. The success of both these areas are thanks Jeff Casterton, Carol Hill, Glynis Hunt, Gail Tomlinson, Linda Whitehurst and Charlotte Hukin.

There's also the speaker that relays the fete announcements as well as the typical brass band style music that you'd expect to hear at one of these village occasions, all making for a very realistic village green style preservation society do.

The marrow though is massive! What a big one! I've never seen one as big as that before! 

Costumes are also sourced by Charlotte Hukin.

Sound design by David Goatham. We get all the usual sounds that we'd expect from an outdoor gathering including the opening speech over a crackling P.A. system, transporting everyone to a sunny Thornton village green on a Saturday afternoon. Nice choice of music to top and tail the play, plus a brass band style that ran through the music in the interval.

Lighting design by Peter Hodgkinson, so I knew that this area of the production/technical team was also in very safe hands. Some nice effects used near to the end of the play.

This is another really fun play. A play that I've not seen before, and a play that I failed to guess whodunnit. There are some fun characters here and some interesting motives, some more believable than others, but the whole story is great fun whether you guess whodunnit or not. Another thing is that Bonington Theatre was packed for the opening night of the play, which is always a great sign at the start of any play's run.

"A Fete Worse Than Death" is at Bonington Theatre until Saturday 18 January, but get your tickets quick as I was advised that there are only single seat tickets now available for the rest of the week.

 "Blood Brothers" by Willy Russell.

Derby Theatre.

It is no secret to anyone who knows me that this is my Number One all-time favourite musical. It ought to be law that anyone who is a fan of great theatre, especially musical theatre needs to see this show, and it always comes as a surprise to me when talking to people that they have not seen "Blood Brothers". Anyway for anyone who hasn't experienced this legendary musical theatre great, here's the story.....

"Blood Brothers" is about Mrs Johnstone and her ever growing brood of children. She is a one parent family who is struggling to make ends meet after her husband leaves her for a younger woman who looks like Marilyn Monroe. Before he leaves though she finds herself in the family way again, but this time it’s twins! She takes a cleaning job for a well to do couple to try and make ends meet, but the only way that she and her family are going to stand any chance of doing this is to sell one of the new born twins.

What a devastating decision for any mother to have to make but she has to think of her other children. The woman that she is currently cleaning for, Mrs Lyons, has always wanted a baby, but so far has failed, well you can see where this is going from here can’t you?

The brothers, Mickey and Eddie, are separated but fate steps in and they unwittingly meet as children and forge a strong friendship, becoming blood brothers. Mrs Lyons gets more worried about Eddie’s friendship with Mickey and moves her family to the country, but again fate steps in and, even though the brothers grow up in different worlds, that bond is strong and blood is thicker than water, right to the end……

What I love about this musical is that you have a musical of two halves. The first Act is bright, uplifting, funny and heart-warming but come Act Two and that all changes as we see a darker side of their downward spiralling life, and even after seeing this wonderful; musical so many times, that opening of “Tell Me It’s Not True” still gets the hair on my arms and back of the neck standing up.

Vivienne Carlyle plays Mrs Johnstone. This is the first time that I have seen Vivienne play this iconic woman, and follows in the massive footsteps of women like Lyn Paul, Linda Nolan, Maureen Nolan and Mel C, all excellent actors, and Vivienne is absolutely no different as the baton is passed on. A powerhouse of a role for any actor to take on, due to the emotional commitment required, especially in the final number. 

The role is incredibly emotional and powerful and Vivienne retains everything that we have come to know and love about Mrs Johnstone. Her voice is so expressive at all ends of the scale. Vivienne's voice has a more classical feel and sound to it, even with the Liverpool accent. Viv has the comedy element down pat, but she knows how to pull at your heart strings as well. Even after seeing this musical as many times as I have, that ending still gets me every single time. 

Much of the cast has not changed over the years and this shows that the producers and directors have so much faith in these actors to give incredible performances. If it ain't broke, don't fix it!

Sean Jones is Mickey. As far as I can remember I have seen Sean in this role almost every time that I have seen this show and for me, he is Mickey, I can’t envisage anyone else playing this character in the same way as Sean does

As always, his performance is great fun to watch as the seven - nearly eight year old. In comparison, as adult Mickey, he creates an aura of a very different kind, and he still evokes that nervousness in me, even though I know this musical so well, he still makes me believe in the role.

Joe Sleight takes the role of Eddie. Joe gives a wonderful child-like quality to the role in Act One and a more mature performance as an adult Eddie in Act Two. Again, it's wonderful to see, and hear the change from a seven-year-old to a local Housing Councillor, making the time change absolutely believable. The costumes for both Mickey and Eddie also make this credible as they grow out of shorts and jumpers into work clothes. I've not seen Joe before but he has a voice that is very easy on the ear, which also harmonises beautifully with the duets he gets to sing.

James Ledsham plays Mickey's big bullying brother Sammy. This is the first time that I've seen James, not only in this, but in anything on stage, as far as I remember. He plays the bully really well and love it when his mam brings him down to earth by the raising of her voice. A fun role that involves worms, kept in a place where worms should not be kept, demanding sweets with threats and the ability to gob at distance with accuracy. As with all these kids roles, the actors must have great fun regressing to childhood naughtiness. They must also relish the challenge to move their characters on into adulthood for the more dramatic scenes.

Gemma Brodrick is Mickey's eventual girlfriend Linda, who he marries down the line. Her transformation from fourteen year old schoolgirl into a beautiful wife and expectant mother is quite magical. Gemma is another new name but what a performance, especially when everything gets to much for her when Mickey comes out of jail. She really makes you feel like giving Linda a hug when she is at a complete loose end as to what to do, and there's really only one person she can turn to for help and advice.

Sarah Jane Buckley as the "always looking over her shoulder" paranoid Mrs Lyons, and Tim Churchill is the business-driven husband, Mr Lyons who will do anything for an easy married life. Both reprising their parts. Both wonderful character actors, and I have said this before in my reviews, Sarah's voice is one that I could listen to all night. Her duet with Vivienne, "My Child" is just one of many emotive, and beautifully sung musical pieces in this soundtrack.

Sean Keany is the all important Narrator, adding that touch of menace, as if the devil had their number and was watching over the families. A vital role in this musical who applies the glue to the storylines, sprinkling a supernatural unease whenever he appears. A dark character that often haunts the background like a circling shark, creating tension and atmosphere. The "Devil" that can only be seen by the paranoid Mrs Lyons, whose number he certainly has!

Cameron Patmore plays Perkins, the know-all pupil who gets his knuckles rapped in the desk in one of the school, scenes.

Alex Harland is the Policeman, who shows the different ways that the law deal with the different classes.

Jess Smith plays Brenda, Linda's friend.

Chloe Pole doubles up as Donna-Marie and Miss Jones, who has the unenviable task of typing out the redundancy letters to Mickey and the rest of the workforce, as well as her own!

Graeme Kinniburgh is the Bus Conductor and Postman.

Dominic Gore is the Neighbour.

Co Directed by Bob Tomson and Bill Kenwright, the pace and presentation is perfect.

The songs in this show, for me anyway, are just brilliant. From the playful “Kids’s Games” to the optimistic “Bright New Day”, the jazzy "Long Sunday Afternoon", the wistful “Marilyn Monroe” to the iconic “Tell Me It’s Not True”, which on it’s own, played on the radio is a beautiful ballad. In the context of this musical it is highly emotional. Willy Russell who is a great playwright also wrote the score for this musical. Musical Supervisor for this show is Matt Malone.

Derby Theatre has great acoustics and the music sounds so good in this venue, the reverberation bouncing around the auditorium. A wonderful job by Sound Designer Dan Samson.

The lighting design, by Nick Richings, is also one of the most technical for this musical, and the timings of such has to be spot on, which they all were.

The set, designed by Andy Walmsley, doesn't really change but is as iconic as the musical itself.

This story of brotherhood, motherhood, friendship, love, superstition, jealousy and depression will always be relevant, and as long as the emotional element remains as high as it has over the last few decades, this musical will remain one of the best loved pieces of musical theatre.

Go and see this if you've never seen it before, and if you have seen it before, go and see it again, and take your hanky, you'll need it! Still, in my humble opinion, the best musical running.

The wonderful “Blood Brothers” is at Derby Theatre until Saturday 18 January.