Santa Claus-The Musical 2007 Press & Public Reviews

Escape the Pantomime with wonderful Christmas Musical

If you are a fan of the traditional pantomime with lots of audience participation, then this may not be for you, it's exactly what it says it is - a musical. What you will get is a wonderfully produced show from cast through to the talking reindeer and crows. There are faultless performances by everyone involved. "For me, the show was stolen by Kim Ismay who played Santa's sidekick and the brilliant Anita Dobson as the Ice Queen."

Verdict 4**** Richard Nelmes for the Nuneaton Telegraph

The robotic Ice Queen Anita Dobson, best known for her role as landlady Angie Watts in EastEnders, really got the audience booing and hissing as she flew on to the stage, lavish sets, glittering costumes and energetic dance routines really helped make this a spectacular Christmas production amazing.

Katie Swann for the Wolverhampton Chronicle.

Magical

An impressive performance from Anita Dobson as the Ice Queen and Russ Spencer as Joe the Present Wrapper, helped bring the Winter Wonderland to life.

Bromsgrove Advertiser (Web)

Feel-good Production is a Winner

This new musical comedy production is a feel-good show from start to finish, full of spectacular sets, lavish costumes and fabulous song and dance numbers. The wicked Ice Queen is a gloriously over-the-top Anita Dobson is determined to halt Christmas and with the help of sidekick Aggro, freezes Santa's helpers. Anita Dobson is hilariously exhausting as the baddy but scary enough to elicit boos from the audience and her entrances were spectacular.

Birmingham Independant.

Magical Night out at North Pole

Both Roy Barraclough and Anita Dobson performed well, with Anita, who is more manic than menacing, also displaying a fine singing voice.

verdict 3*** Tony Collins for Birmingham Mail and Black Country Bugle.

Well, Anita has Done it Again!

I went to see Anita in Birmingham on Saturday 15 December. I must say how awesome she was playing the Ice Queen. This show was well put together. As usual Anita really did a good job. The effect was good where she was lowered down onto the stage in a bubble which was suspended on a wire and was kind of decorated in shiny glitter. That was well done. Anita was really funny in it, she made me laugh. I cannot believe how talented she is. The show is similar to when she played the wicked Queen in Snow White and the seven dwarfs. If anyone has not been to see this show, you don't know what you are missing. Well it was 10 out of 10 once again. Well done Anita.

Lee Carnall

I went to see Santa Claus-The Musical on Saturday 22 December and enjoyed every minute of the show. Anita relished her role as the wicked Ice Queen and gave a sensational performance. Her comic timing, exuberance and natural talent ensured the audience were eating out of the palms of her hands. She had all the children booing and hissing as loudly as they could. She played the part by combining the right amount of wickedness with humour, and by the end of the show, when the Ice Queen is 'mended' the kids have forgiven all her previous evil deeds. Only an accomplished and hugely talented actress could have pulled that off as Anita did. This show and in particular Anita is highly recommended. See it while you can!

Steven Burbridge

Snow White & The Seven Dwarfs
2006/7 Press & Public Reviews

 

Former EastEnder Anita impresses in villainous role:

Anita Dobson is pretty scary, at moments giving us something like a
nightmarish vision of a dyspeptic Anne Robinson.
     Actually, Anita's a class act, a fine performer, who relishes her
words, beautifully executes her comic villainous business and belts out a
good song. Her quality is crucial to the show, her well-judged malevolence
being a good foil to the general pleasantness of all around her.
 
An extract from: East Anglian Daily Times (Essex edition)
Ivan Howlett, Thursday 21 December 2006
*****

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

Anita Dobson as evil Queen Esmeralda, is versatility personified. She
clearly relishes the chance to come across as nutty as possible and her
singing voice is in fine fettle.

An extract from: The Stage Tuesday 2 January 2007
*****
 

Wow, Anita is as brilliant as ever. Her rap song (which incidentally she wrote
herself - is there no end to this girl's talent) was beautifully sung as was
a Queen song, 'I Want It All' of which Anita's husband Brian May CBE,
adapted for Anita to sing especially for the pantomime!
       Her comedy routine is SO funny, especially when she says what she
wants to do with poor Snow White.
Anita really captivated the audience and i am sure, The Regent Theatre,
Ipswich, can look back with pride for having this wonderful production at
their Theatre, albeit a difficult time for their Town.
Very well done to all the cast, crew and production team!

I would also like to Thank very much all of Anita's fan club members who
made the journey from far and wide to go, see and support Anita and the
Show. Bless You!

Carole White - coordinator for Anita's fan club
29 December 2006
*****