HERE it is, the Everyman's latest bonkers rock 'n' roll alternative to the traditional “he's behind you” panto.

And the kids - never mind the grown-ups - just loved it.

But if you're a sensitive bloke and don't fancy getting a feelie-feelie from a frisky dame endowed with huge fake melons then stay away from the front row.

Oh, and everyone else, bring your waterproofs. You have been warned.

Haywood's line
"I only have to
think of her
(Rapunzel) and
it starts to
grow,” got a
huge laugh
especially from a Union of
Catholic
Mothers party
up in the
balcony

Such is the participatory nature of this beast which, like screenings of It's A Wonderful Life at the Philharmonic, has become a fixture Liverpool’s Christmas culture.

Indeed, the theatre's in-the-round design is ideal for allowing the cast to wander around at will, causing chaos whenever and wherever they feel like it, bringing squeals of delight from the tots and a fright for the adults.

Naturally, given such circumstances and track record of writers Sarah A Nixon and Mark Chatterton, who have penned 15 previous rock n roll pantos, those naively expecting a traditional rendering of the Brothers Grimm fairy tale will be in for a surprise. 

In fact, Rapunzel's characteristic long hair is the only common link to the original from four centuries ago.

This one has the feel of one written under the influence of copious amounts of the waccy baccy and involves a cosmic fight between good and evil with our heroine at its heart.

It's an excuse to switch action between Earth and Planet Mullet and introduce such guests as a Dalek, Klingons and even Klangers.

So please don't ask about the fine detail - besides, when has anyone let a logical plot get in the way of a functioning panto.

This one resembles  themed musicals such as the Queen tribute We Will Rock You where the direction is guided by a song title.

You know the kinda thing: wizard casts a spell, cue rendition of It's A Kinda Magic. Simples.

Rapunzel is chock-full of such examples with versions of  Wacko's Beat It, Bowie's Scary Monsters, Lulu's Shout, Guns N Roses' Sweet Child of Mine and Play The Game by Queen (again!) helping to chug things along.


The quality of the enthusiastic and versatile 10-strong cast, who effortlessly swap from acting to backing band throughout, propels this process swimmingly.

The four women - Marianne Benedict (a sassy wicked witch Poisonella) Nicola Hawkins, Martina Isabor (the fairy, Stardust) and LIPA-trained Stephanie Hockley in the title role - are all gutsy, bold singers in their own right.

The latter's sheen glows even brighter in her romantic duets with the handsome goodie, Sam Haywood..

The comic favourites, a Rik Mayall-like Tom Connor, as villainous Lord Alistair Banister, veterans Adam Keast as Horace  and his “wife” the aforementioned Dame Doris played by Francis Tucker, went down a storm.

 


The kids loved shouting out to Horace's call and response theme, based on the old “I'm Spartacus” line, and appeared to be enchanted by Dinah England's exuberantly coloured set and costume designs.

The big people, meanwhile, chuckled along knowingly to the double entendres without which panto would not be the same.

Haywood's line "I only have to think of her (Rapunzel) and it starts to grow,” got a huge laugh especially off a party from the Union of Catholic Mothers up in the balcony. Naughty girls!

They were  all up and dancing with the rest of the sell-out audience as the wicked witch Poisonella, et al brought the two hours to a close with a funky groove-athon, a fitting way to close any party, whether it be Christmas or not.

Well Rapped

7/10       

*Rapunzel - Hairway To Heaven runs until Saturday January 23. Tickets,  £12.50 - £27.50, available on 0151 709 4776 or here