Adventure in Panto Land

Written by John Morley this enjoyable show gave us snippets from six well known and often performed pantos - Sleeping Beauty, Aladdin, Dick Whittington, Jack and the Beanstalk, Snow White and Cinderella - and the strong script linked them very well.  It was a bit corny but that’s panto and this show proves I suppose that all pantos are basically the same!  It was the same in the audience as there was, as usual, a very good response to everything we were given.

The traditional main panto characters were present in each segment of the production for example the Dame, Principal Boy and Girl, the Fool, the Baddie and Fairy etc., and in this production they were played by the same people for each section.  Aimee Coulthurst worked very hard as the Principal Girl as did Olivia Thompson as the Principal Boy and I could hear and understand everything they said and sang.  Mollie-Grace Thompson was excellent as the Fairy Honeysuckle and, making it a real family affair, Ian Thompson gave us his usual great Dame.  Connor Wilson was very enjoyable and likeable as the Fool and there was a very strong performance from Kirsty Maiden as Poison Ivy, the Baddie.  Phil Wilson was also great fun as Wizbad.

I suppose it’s fair to say that the characterisations did not really change from one stage of the show to the next and any required differences were provided by a very steady supporting cast and chorus which were well balanced.  Accompaniment was from keyboard and drums and the cast certainly made themselves heard and, with lively music and choreography, all seemed to be enjoying themselves.  A major power cut a couple of hours prior to show time necessitated re-setting of sound and lighting, and a 15 minute delay, but the cast and technical crew soon got over this very professionally.

I always make comment at Hornsea about the costumes so I will again – they were excellent and highly colourful.  The set was fine and the performance didn’t lack pace.

Very enjoyable.

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