12 Days of Christmas

12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS

Presented by

Stone Revellers

The sheer delight from Stone Revellers performers to be back where they belong on stage, after two years, was palpable. Despite a last-ditch effort from covid to affect the production by pinging Tinkerbell, in the great tradition of the theatre, they adapted and found a last-minute stand in, more of which later.                

First performed twenty years ago this self-penned Pantomime 12 Days of Christmas, with the script by Reveller David Wild, has an ‘orrid Demon in the form of Charlotte Andrews making Christmas Day disappear forever. Boooo! Growing ever eviller as the first act progressed.  

Trying to save the day for everyone was our Good Fairy Dawn Huxley, who hopes with everyone’s help we can woo the Demon from his nasty ghastly ways into restoring Christmas Day, which also is the Wedding Day of the last scheduled panto’s Princess and the Pea’s heroine to the Prince, a witty and seamless link to the missing two years.

Wizzard’s classic I Wish It Could be Christmas Everyday ushered in a lively start, instantly warmed up the audience for what was to come.

The cast covered multiple roles throughout the show, I particularly liked Chester The Jester, Matt Wright his Bruce Forsythe rapping game show host was hilarious, as mentioned above, Tinkerbell had pinged. This was turned into a funny bit of business between Chester and Good Fairy when he entered in Tinkerbell’s leotard, tutu and pink tights, and they pinged back and forth with related banter.

Of the 12 Days Gifts, several stand out performances: - Two Birds, as an early present for the Demon, in the form of two needy desperate Sisters, classic comedy duo, played by Mandy Gauge and Sean Galloghly.

5 Dancing Rings, a very visually inventive piece. Carollers a carolling, sang a lovely atmospheric rendition of Carol of the Bells.

Act Two opened with breaking news, as I said earlier all the cast played numerous roles, I must mention the two young News Anchors, they projected extremely well and directed a large news report scene cutting to Roving Reporters and back slickly. Great to see the next generation of performers learning and plying their craft so proficiently.

I must congratulate everyone involved in bringing this show to the stage, Director Rob Stanway, Co-Director/Choreographer Simone Plant, MD Carl Gratty and Producer Craig Chesters, Cast and Crew, all obviously enjoying being back at it.

Scenery spot on, the Demons lair integrated very well. Costumes and make up were excellent. Sound and lighting were very good, the usual first night technical pitfalls that can and does affect many shows, late sound and lighting cues will be quickly and ably resolved no doubt for the rest of the run, that said the experienced cast ad-libbed very well around them.

Enjoyable family fun, a stark reminder of what we all missed last year.

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