Napoleon – Un Petit Pantomime by John Savournin & David Eaton. Jermyn Street Theatre, 16b Jermyn Street, London until 5 January 2025

5☆☆☆☆☆. Review:William Russell.

“A cracker of a panto.”

The Charles Court Opera's pantomime like no other – it has been for twenty years – is back at Jermyn Street for the second year with as always great singing, terrible puns, lots of suggestive moments and a story line nobody has thought of before devised by Savournin and Eaton as only it can. The story involves a ruby stashed in the royal safe in a vault in a public lavataory on a bridge off the Strand to which only Nelson has admission – entry requires his hand on the door knob. Napoleon wants it. George 111 wants it. But Nelson is dead. However his arm – the one that got shot off – is available and sought after by all concerned, including Wellington, who has a beef problem – worked that one out – a young man, possibly, called George, Georgina or plain George Orwell and the ghost of Marie Antoinette. (It is apparently a case of not tonight, Joesephine.)

They all sing beautifully, they prance, although some would call it dance, delightfully and display an ability to run on and off stage at speed that dazzles. This year David Eaton has plundered some songs of slightly less operatic origins for them to sing. As well as Mozart we get Abba and Elton John and best of all they sing Downtown. But it does not lower the tone – much. The cast hit the heights but also plumb the depths with equal aplomb. This year looks as if for once they have spent some money on the set and it and the costumes by Lucy Fowler are a treat for the eye to complement the treats for the ear we get. High lights include a scene in which members of the audience are required to come on stage to milk a couple of cows for reasons that escape me and the dancing of King George. If there is a better panto in the land I would be surprised. It is invidious to name names but Elliot Bradford's King and Jenny Jacob's Wellington do deliver the goods, Rosie Strobel glittrers as the ghost of Marie Antoinette, and Am J Payne plays all the other Georges and a Georgina. They are all in a class of their own. Then, of course, there is the leading man and villain of the show – Napoleon, perfectly played by the small and perfectly formed Matthew Kellett, without whom no Charles Court Pantomime would be complete. Whether as a rampant lover or done up as Brittania with a hairy chest Matthew is here, there and everywhere. Napoleon bids fair to be the 24-25 season's best panto and one of the best, possibly the best, that Savournin and Eaton have spawned. It is a cracker of a show.

Cast

Amy J Payne – Georgina.

Elliot Broadfoot – King George.

Jennie Jacobs – The ghost of Marie Antoinette.

Matthew Kellett – Napoleon.

Rosie Strobel – Marie Antoinette.

Rochelle Jack – Swing.

Creatives

Directors – John Savournin & Benji Sperring.

Set & Costume Designer – Lucy Fowler.

Lighting Designer - Ben Pickersgill.

Choreographer -Merry Holden.

Guitarist -Alex Menaker.

Musical Director - David Eaton.