Adventures in Pantoland

Adventures in Pantoland by Alan P. Frayn is a lively and entertaining pantomime that takes the audience on a magical journey through some of the most familiar stories in the world of pantomime. Full of comedy, colourful characters, music and audience participation, the production is designed to entertain both children and adults.

The story begins in the Land of Make Believe, where traditional pantomime characters such as the Principal Boy, Principal Girl, Dame and Fool find themselves searching for their place in the pantomime world. Their adventure takes them through several well-known fairy tales, including Sleeping Beauty, Aladdin, Jack and the Beanstalk and Cinderella. This unusual idea gives the production plenty of opportunities for jokes, costume changes and different settings.

One of the strongest features of Frayn's script is its comedy. The dialogue is packed with silly jokes, wordplay and opportunities for the actors to interact with the audience. The character of the Fool Played by Tim Drage is particularly effective because this type of role allows for exaggerated expressions, physical comedy which he is exceptional at and always manages to get plenty of audience involvement. The traditional pantomime Dame, Ian Thompson also provides plenty of laughs and helps create the lively atmosphere that audiences expect from a panto. Great costumes and his usual charisma always pleases.

The villains are equally important to the story. Poison Ivy, Nell Rose and the Wizbad, Jeffrey Kidd provides the necessary opposition to the heroes, giving the audience someone to boo and hiss. Their larger-than-life personalities fit perfectly into the exaggerated world of pantomime.

The production also has plenty of visual appeal. Bright costumes, colourful scenery and changes of location help create the feeling that the audience is travelling through different fairy-tale worlds. Music and dancing add energy to the performance, while the use of familiar stories means that younger members of the audience can easily follow what is happening.

Another successful element is the way the production encourages the audience to participate. Pantomime works best when the audience feels like part of the show, and Adventures in Pantoland gives them plenty of opportunities to cheer for the heroes, boo the villains and join in with the action. This helps maintain a fast pace and keeps the younger audience interested.

Overall, Adventures in Pantoland is a fun and imaginative production. the script that celebrates everything audiences love about traditional British pantomime while putting several familiar stories together in a fresh way. It is colourful, funny and energetic, with something for both children and adults.

Adventures in Pantoland is a great choice for anyone looking for an entertaining family night at the theatre. It may not take itself seriously, but that is exactly what makes it so much fun.

A huge well done to all the cast, backstage and all the crew brilliant production smooth and slick.

Lighting and Sound was Tech It serious Productions who set the cast and stage with ease well done

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