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The Sooty Show
The Ambassador’s Theatre, Woking
14th April 2014
Reviewed by Chris Wardle
This
is a wonderful show for the young or the young at heart, as a packed audience
ably proved with cheers, laughter and applause throughout the performance. Sooty
has lost none of his magical appeal and he was joined by Sweep and Soo, of
course, as well as two characters from the classic Sooty series, Ramsbottom the
snake and Butch the bulldog.
Richard Cadell, as Sooty’s right hand man, is a terrific performer and anyone
who wants to learn how to entertain children or family audiences should study
Richard’s skill and the ease with which he engages a crowd. He makes it all look
so easy, but he is a master of his craft and he knows every trick in the book.
The show takes the form of the preparations for and then the celebration of
Sooty’s birthday, so classic routines, such as baking a cake, get the unique
Sooty treatment. There are magical elements and effects interspersed throughout
the show, with Sooty blowing up a balloon, Richard suffering the ‘broken stool’
gag and a giant version of the walnut shells and pea routine, using Sooty and
three buckets! There is lots of slapstick for the little ones as well as
pantomime gags and asides for the adults. When Richard is particularly cross
with Sooty, he stares him in the face, challenging him with ‘Let’s see who
blinks first!’
This is a really upbeat and lively production with songs, audience participation
and a fast pace to keep everyone entertained. Within moments I was transported
back to my own childhood watching Matthew Corbett and Sooty on TV. Check the
theatres near you and go and see this great show with Richard Cadell proving
that Sooty is on a very skilled and safe hand.
© Chris Wardle, April 2014