Thanks to the Portobello Panto, those who miss the magical pantomime out with the festive months can now witness the magic at the Edinburgh Festival! As a pantomime fan I was not disappointed. Oh no I wasn’t!
‘Somewhere Over the Westway’ is a modern version of the ‘Wizard of Oz’. Hip, streetwise and bling. Sticking closely to traditional rules, old favourites are presented in an urban setting. We follow D, the pregnant, tracksuit-wearing heroine; Dave the Rave, who is in search for a new brain after too much partying in the 1990s; the heartless yet ‘well-iced’ Blingy, and Leo, the wannabe Jamaican in the search for courage (and weed).
This show is imaginative and well thought out. Any show which can combine the Sex Pistols, Madness and Peter Andre deserves applause! The horny Wicked Witch of the West uses a cat suit and hilarious Kate Bush moves to entice objects of her affection, while lost characters of other pantomimes wander in and out of the eclectic mix of songs, jokes and punk fairy godmothers.
Despite poor audience participation, the cast are enthusiastic and energetic. Not so sure about the choice of Pototo (no prizes for guessing his more traditional counterpart), but this is the beauty of the show – a mixed bag of random fun, something for everyone to laugh at.
Although a panto, be warned, it is not exactly child-friendly – undertones of narcotics, alcohol and illicit lyrics lace the script. But then again, it is set in Da Street – or the yellow brick road to be more precise!
3/5 
Libby Pollock
