Evening of pure fun at 'alternative' panto

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly Sisters, Belgrade B2, to December 30. It was always going to be a great night. Coventry had just won the City of Culture award there was much celebration and flag waving in the foyer of the Belgrade, and we were there for the alternative Christmas pantomime.

The atmosphere in B2 was brilliant and that was before the show had even started. And so it continued. What a fantastic show. With spin-offs from the main show, Cinderella, things happening on the stroke of twelve and glass slippers, the four actors gave us an evening of pure fun and entertainment. Wheeler dealers, cross dressing and gun slinging kept the audience enthralled. Puns there were a-plenty, as there were links to the city of culture announcement as the show developed.

The story, set in the deep dark West (Midands) involved jailbirds, Mexicans, sheriffs and medicine men as the four actors moved seamlessly from character to character. The audience lapped up the quips and they loved the links to Coventry. Somehow, student accommodation, the queue at the Earlsdon co-op, Lady Godiva and more, all contributed to the merriment. The four actors gave us a wonderful evening. Katy Stephens as doc was terrific. Miriam Edwards made a fantastic sheriff and cowboy. Laura Tipper switched seamlessly from Navaho Indian to bar girl, with her wonderful black country accent and Aimee Powell as Ugly – the baddie – the Hobo and the priest performed brilliantly.

In the end, they all saw the light and in true pantomime tradition it all ended happily ever after!

For tickets go to: http://www.belgrade.co.uk

Pictured above: A rehearsal scene from the play.