Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 8.5/10
Cast: Duncan Cameron, Graham Hicks, Josie Cerise, Keddy Sutton.
The humble pea is never truly given the chance to shine, is never truly the heroic type and is only ever seen to grace a good shepherd’s pie or instead be mushed down, taken to task as it adorns a plate of fish and chips. Yet once upon a time a Princess had much to owe the pea and its legendary status was confirmed. It is a status that enhanced as Liverpool’s Unity Theatre offers this Christmas the age old story of The Princess and the Pea and it is a tale to delight and capture the very best of imagination for all who make their way to the theatre on Hope Place this December.
Alongside much loved and seasoned Liverpool performers Graham Hicks and Keddy Sutton, both Duncan Cameron and Josie Cerise held their own under the gaze of the Unity Theatre crowd’s always enjoyable eyes. A step away from the other festive shows and pantomimes in and around the city this Christmas, the Unity Theatre is a place where the story is given centre stage, where the performers are under perhaps more scrutiny than any other due to the very intimate setting and the sheer use of imagination the audience is asked to use. It is a scrutiny that binds the crowd forever to the performers and both Duncan Cameron and Josie Cerise can hold their heads up with pride as the display of acting endeavour was very much appreciated by the delighted Unity faithful.
For Keddy Sutton, a dame of the Liverpool stage and one whose work over the past decade has been exemplary, The Princess and the Pea is a piece of art, one brimming with revelation and dynamic cool. Her performances in the comic arena have been enjoyed so much that many in Liverpool may have forgotten just what an all-round talent she is but the skilful and beautiful way she portrayed the Queen of Mean, her absolute flexibility in the role was unlimited and gracious. Whilst you would never want Liverpool’s theatrical boards to lose one of the Queen’s of the comic art to serious roles forever, it is fascinating to watch someone so closely embroiled in the art of making people laugh play such a stirring role.
In Graham Hicks, the twinkle of the eye as he displayed his ever growing talent around the flexible theatre stage was never out of sight for a single second, it takes guts, especially at this time of year to place yourself into a role that will be forever remembered by the younger members of the audience. When it works, when the actor and crowd bond in such a way over it, it is one that exhibits a gentle flourish, one that will forever be enough to see Mr. Hicks given the acting reverence he so fully deserves. From comic foil to serious contender, Graham Hicks is always a man worth watching with a smile on your face.
The Princess and the Pea joins a long list of alternative/anti panto productions that the Unity Theatre have offered the theatre goers, both young and old, in Liverpool, it is a formula that not only works well but is a symbol for great theatre story-telling and Kevin Dyer’s script, with Patrick Dineen’s lyrical offering, exemplifies the side of Christmas that is not often explored, the chance for parents and children alike to be immersed into a theatrical setting that doesn’t rely on anything but a humdinger of a story.
The Unity Theatre have really come out and offered audience a chance to grab world peas this Christmas. As John Lennon should have said, “is give peas a chance”.
Ian D. Hall