Adventure in Pantoland

I must be getting used to pantomimes!  I definitely enjoyed this one.  The music probably helped.  I knew every song except one.  That was probably an age thing; and, wonder of wonders, they did seem to have at least a passing connection to the plot.  Perhaps I should say “plots” because at least 5 classic pantos get a nod during the course of this show.  The stock characters – Boy, Girl, Dame, Fool, Good Fairy, Bad Fairy and more - migrate between Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, Jack & the Beanstalk, Dick Whittington and Cinderella.  I suspect I have missed a couple.  The script linking all these familiar tales works very well and, in a Pantoland sort of way, makes perfect sense.

Alex Thorkildsen and Eden Taylor made an attractive and engaging Boy and Girl and sound good together.  Alex, however, was not helped by his mic., which never came up to full volume until he was half-way through the first line of his every song.  The ensemble singing was, to me, the most effective but, I am assured, it would have benefited from some harmonies.  I’m not sure the majority of the audience, comprising mostly Mums and some quite vocal offspring, even noticed that.

Malcolm Alderson was an impressive Dame.  I realise a panto is not a panto without the Dame but I remember never liking (actually being afraid of) the Dame when I was a youngster.  I will have to work on that.  One of his sweeties did land in my lap, so perhaps that particular journey has started.  And any bloke who can put on that make-up deserves respect!  Paul Outterside was very effective as the Fool.  He managed to extract a smile from me with the corniest of jokes and, often, his timing impressively evoked some genuine laughs.  The Good Queen (Pamela Alderson) and the Wicked Queen (Carla Dupree) did exactly what it says on the tin, the Wicked Queen milking her “boos” very satisfactorily.  The Good Queen never has quite the same opportunity to interact with the audience.  Even in panto the best part is reserved for the bad girl, that’s just showbiz.

The show opened with a dance routine from the Marian Lane Junior Dancers which I thought was totally entrancing and set the tone for the remainder of the show perfectly.  Towards the end The Senior Dancers performed a snow/ice ballet which impressed me even more.  I am definitely not a dance critic but both of those routines worked for me, topping and (almost) tailing a pantomime which sent me out of the Hall smiling and even humming a few of the tunes.  Well done, everybody.

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