Jack the Ripper Panto @ the Playhouse

With the festive season upon us, it’s time to sweep the stage, call out the chorus and dust off the dame (ooh er) as we go potty for panto. This year, I’ve been sent to the Playhouse to see Spooky Kids’ somewhat controversial production, Jack the Ripper the Panto. First shown in 2009, the adult-themed comedy production based (very loosely) on the murders committed by the infamous 19th century serial killer, has obviously done well again this year with three sell out shows, so what is all the fuss about?

Well, the story starts – after an obligatory music hall style sing-along - with Jack and his psychotic black cat Manson deciding to flee to Old Laaandan Taaaaaan, following a spate of “unfortunate incidents” involving some dead cattle, various animal mutilations, and one angry, shotgun-toting farmer. Once arrived, with Jack’s murderous pussy in one ear, and a fairy godmother in the other, Jack is faced with a series of moral decisions. As well as a brothel run by an incestuous pearly king, Jack meets a host of characters along the way, including the sauciest (and best) pantomime dame I’ve seen in recent pantos, the enthusiastic, hard drug taking Inspector Abberline, some barely competent S&M loving officers of the law, and a wannabe prostitute (who bears more than a passing circumstantial resemblance to Cinderella) with whom Jack finally finds true love. Blimey, so not one for the kids then.

The script is funny, packed with innuendo as all good pantos should be, and the jokes hit the mark 90% of the time. The acting was good for a small production (standout highlight being Dorothy the dildo wielding dame, who was fucking hilarious and stole every scene that he/she was in), and the music and songs, including the BDSM sing-along classic Thrash Me, Thrash Me, delivered the crowd participation that panto demands. There were a few teething problems with radio mics and curtains, etc, but hey – that’s what opening night is all about and these really only added to the comedy of the thing. It’s not my place to say whether people should or shouldn’t be offended by the content, but I would have to say that a) the publicity certainly didn’t seem to be doing the show any harm, and b) I would urge anyone who feels moral outrage rising at the mere thought of the production to see it before judging. Trust me – you might be surprised. Of course, you could always just try not inflicting your pre-supposed ideas on others. Just a thought…