Absolute Pantomonium

Over the years, I have been on stage in, and  seen many musicals incorporating another musical or play. This was the first time that I have seen a spoof pantomime enacted as a pantomime. A very clever script written by Jon Monie was performed by ten people playing eleven parts to offer us a very enjoyable and funny evening of stereotypical pantomime pathos and humour.

In this genre of theatrical entertainment, the main ingredients are a fairy and her nemesis - also a dame and a silly Billy. In this production the fairy was named Tales and was played well throughout by Carol Clark. Her demon/devil, Killjoy, as usual being totally powerless against the fairy, was evilly characterised by the constantly booed Simon Ancell. Interestingly, the dame is this work (Tilly Topps) is also played by the fairy character and this made for a lot of amusing dialogue when the two are meant to be on stage at the same time but needed a quick costume change. The dame’s son, Billy Topps, was well portrayed by Carolyn Irving.

Two more essential parts in a pantomime are a Royal and a commoner who fall in love and somehow beat the odds to be together. The difference this time was that the Prince was charmless by name and nature. The brusque nature of the rude one was encapsulated in the acting of Leo Baker and Girl One, who adored him despite his demeanour, by Kim Logan.

Five other cast members in this production were  Rancid (Killjoy’s assistant),  Girl Two, a sidekick to Girl One, King’s Footman, King’s Horseman played by respectively, George Lake, Dolores Constable, Kate Bavin and Shobhna Lowe. The fifth person was Polly Parrot. Sue Duncan who had this role was there in front of stage to entertain the audience whilst the scene changes were taking place - very entertaining with plenty of ad-libbing. With two audience participation songs, the main cast plus these extra characters were able to do justice to the singing.

With the complete cast playing exaggerated and over the top performances to enhance the characterisation, this was just a fun-filled evening of silliness that anyone could enjoy. Congratulations to actors, backstage persons and production team.

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