All stories by John Hannam on BroadwayStars

Thursday, January 4, 2018

Snow White review at Kings Theatre, Portsmouth – ‘well-balanced’ by John Hannam

This year the Kings Theatre has shrewdly brought back several past favourites. With some of the other cast members making their pantomime

SOURCE: The Stage Registration at 06:15AM
Thursday, December 28, 2017

Beauty and the Beast review at New Theatre Royal, Portsmouth – ‘ambitious and full of local colour’ by John Hannam

The New Theatre Royal’s first in-house Christmas production since its re-opening in 2015 is a version of Beauty and the Beast that

SOURCE: The Stage Registration at 09:11AM
Tuesday, December 19, 2017

Aladdin review at Ferneham Hall, Fareham – ‘superior genies, patchy panto’ by John Hannam

Over past years, Ferneham Hall has strived to make its Christmas productions a little different. This year’s Aladdin is a case in

SOURCE: The Stage Registration at 01:27PM
Thursday, December 22, 2016

Santa Claus – The Musical review at New Theatre Royal, Portsmouth – ‘energetic performances’ by John Hannam

Santa Claus – The Musical had its British debut in 2005 at the huge Mayflower Theatre, Southampton. Then it would have been

SOURCE: The Stage Registration at 09:59AM

Sleeping Beauty review at the Anvil, Basingstoke – ‘a real crowd-pleaser’ by John Hannam

Combining both old and new pantomime traditions, this fine UK Productions’ Sleeping Beauty boasts a strong cast, blessed with some very capable

SOURCE: The Stage Registration at 05:03AM
Wednesday, December 21, 2016

Jack and the Beanstalk review at Kings Theatre, Southsea – ‘dazzling routines’ by John Hannam

Last year’s Cinderella was one of the best pantomimes to be staged at the Kings Theatre for many years. It starred Matt

SOURCE: The Stage Registration at 08:11AM
Sunday, December 18, 2016

Sleeping Beauty review at Ferneham Hall, Fareham – ‘funny and fast-paced’ by John Hannam

Robert McWhir’s traditional staging of Sleeping Beauty benefits from a number of strong performances and some powerful singing. It’s a funny, fast-paced

SOURCE: The Stage Registration at 08:26AM
Wednesday, December 24, 2014

Cinderella , Groundlings Theatre, Portsea by John Hannam

Groundlings Theatre, Portsea: This low-budget Cinderella works perfectly in the Groundlings' very intimate space, and the players join the audience on a few occasions for some Benny Hil…

SOURCE: The Stage Registration at 06:49AM
Wednesday, December 17, 2014

Cinderella , Mayflower Theatre, Southampton by John Hannam

Mayflower Theatre, Southampton: This is a refreshing, modern day Cinderella which still maintains the essentials in the storyline but is cleverly produced for today's market. Read the …

SOURCE: The Stage Registration at 02:34PM
Tuesday, December 16, 2014

Sleeping Beauty , Theatre Royal, Winchester by John Hannam

Theatre Royal, Winchester: Sleeping Beauty was cleverly chosen to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Winchester Theatre Royal. It is one of its finest of recent years and puts the venue …

SOURCE: The Stage Registration at 06:42AM

Aladdin , Kings Theatre, Southsea by John Hannam

Kings Theatre, Southsea: Another in a fine list of successful Southsea pantomimes that first began in 1907 - and how times have changed. Read the full review

SOURCE: The Stage Registration at 06:28AM
Thursday, December 19, 2013

Jack and the Beanstalk, Ferneham Hall, Fareham by John Hannam

Ferneham Hall, Fareham: Blunderbore is well over 12 foot high and so realistic - he certainly looks down on another fine production at the Ferneham Hall. It's a real family show, with s…

SOURCE: The Stage Registration at 06:20AM

Robinson Crusoe and the Caribbean Pirates, Mayflower, Southampton by John Hannam

Mayflower, Southampton: Brian Conley displays a wide range of performance skills here, which might raise the eyebrows of those who have only seen him on TV. As Robinson Crusoe he is full of …

SOURCE: The Stage Registration at 06:12AM
Monday, December 16, 2013

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Theatre Royal, Winchester by John Hannam

Theatre Royal, Winchester: Not one of Winchester's finest pantomimes of the past few years. This Snow White falls well their normal standard. It's a real budget production with tra…

SOURCE: The Stage Registration at 08:01AM
Friday, December 13, 2013

The Nutcracker, Nuffield Theatre, Southampton by John Hannam

Nuffield Theatre, Southampton: The Nutcracker story, not always so obvious in the ballet, is beautifully told here with eight top quality actors and musicians. There are several outstanding …

SOURCE: The Stage Registration at 10:39AM
Wednesday, December 11, 2013

Sleeping Beauty, Kings Theatre, Southsea, Portsmouth by John Hannam

Kings Theatre, Southsea, Portsmouth: This Southsea Sleeping Beauty is full of surprises and they all contribute to create a highly enjoyable production which contains a neat blend of youth a…

SOURCE: The Stage Registration at 11:43AM
Wednesday, October 9, 2013

Free Folk, Quay Arts Centre, Newport, Isle of Wight by John Hannam

Quay Arts Centre, Newport, Isle of Wight: This New Forest-based company continues to impress with its quality small scale productions and ability to constantly find actors with talent, enthu…

SOURCE: The Stage Registration at 07:11AM
Wednesday, March 13, 2013

The Boy at the Edge of the Room, The Haymarket, Basingstoke by John Hannam

The Haymarket, Basingstoke: This show, inspired by Lucy Clifford's 1882 story Wooden Tony and based on themes surrounding autism, represents an exciting change of direction for busy Ham…

SOURCE: The Stage Registration at 01:24PM
Monday, December 24, 2012

Midnight is a Place, Broad Chalke Village Hall, Salisbury by John Hannam

Broad Chalke Village Hall, Salisbury: Few Forest Forge Christmas productions have ever topped Midnight is a Place. The story, involving the dealings of a mill, is fast moving and a little ha…

SOURCE: The Stage Registration at 06:21AM

Jack and the Beanstalk, Mayflower, Southampton by John Hannam

Mayflower, Southampton: Thankfully, real pantomime is back at the Mayflower, Southampton, with the best production ever to be seen on the south coast. It's still traditional, with all t…

SOURCE: The Stage Registration at 05:47AM
Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Cinderella , Ferneham Hall, Fareham by John Hannam

Ferneham Hall, Fareham : This show ignited as soon as Ben Redfern rushed on stage as Buttons, closely followed by two brilliant Ugly Sisters, Richard Pocock and Mark Siney. These three, in …

SOURCE: The Stage Registration at 06:09AM

Aladdin, Theatre Royal, Winchester by John Hannam

Theatre Royal, Winchester: This is the most disappointing Winchester pantomime I have seen for several years. Aladdin has a poor script, the company are less impressive than in many of their…

SOURCE: The Stage Registration at 05:59AM
Monday, December 17, 2012

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Kings Theatre, Southsea by John Hannam

Kings Theatre, Southsea: Another pantomime feast at the Kings, Southsea, one of the South's most beautiful theatres. This Snow White features the biggest company it has had for years an…

SOURCE: The Stage Registration at 06:23AM

All that Chat

2023-2024 BROADWAY SEASON
May 30, 2023: Grey House - Lyceum Theatre
Jun 26, 2023: Just For Us - Hudson Theatre
Jul 24, 2023: The Cottage - Hayes Theater
Nov 16, 2023: Spamalot - St. James Theatre
Dec 18, 2023: Appropriate - Hayes Theater
Mar 07, 2024: Doubt - Todd Haimes Theatre
Apr 14, 2024: Lempicka - Longacre Theatre
Apr 17, 2024: The Wiz - Marquis Theatre
Apr 18, 2024: Suffs - Music Box Theatre
Apr 25, 2024: Mother Play - Hayes Theater
Jun 10, 2024: The Drama Desk Awards