Ali Baba

It's panto time again for the United Players and this year it’s  ‘Ali Baba’, written by Matt and Maddy Carter. Matt and Maddy you have succeeded in making this old tale enjoyable. I always enjoy this young group from Walderslade, they make me chuckle and every time I go away amazed at how they do it. Such a small stage and so many members - I counted twenty six up there and there wasn’t a spare inch of empty stage. Does it matter if we forget lines or things don’t go as planned NO! That's pantomime - in fact it makes it more funny. I love it!! Given good lighting, a simple set and some simple but effective choreography by Poppy Barry and Donna Bloomfield, and smiling faces from the cast, one knows they are having a good time, and that's what pantomime is all about. Well done to all involved in the company.

Leading the cast was a naughty Mama Baba (Bradley Dewrey), Ali Baba (Poppy Barry), Ruby (Natalie Radlett), Bob Young as King of the Thieves, and Danny da Val as Kassim Baba. Not only did Matt and Maddy Carter write it, they played Jack and everyone else - "oh yes she did“ I counted five in all well done Maddy. The group of thieves and the police group were back up to these leads and along with the rest of the cast, including Stephen Spielborg (Daniel Jewell) as a sort of MC for the evening, the boy done well as they say. It was nice to see a lot of men up there on stage all playing good roles and along with the younger and older ladies you were a joy to watch. You ladies certainly gave us volume in the singing. Unfortunately too many of you to mention individually, but you all gave this Ali Baba a sense of being. Director Clive Mailing you chose your cast well and moved them around the small stage with ease. Glad you took that early advice and turned to directing, its worked for you and The United Players. Your cast should be proud of you and you proud of them, they served you well.

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