Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves

Digswell Pantomime is always a great night out. The atmosphere was electric and many of the local villagers couldn’t wait to see their friends and neighbours performing on the tiny stage and showing a side of them that is rarely seen as part of village life. Everyone was encouraged to practice their Boos and Cheers and not forgetting, He’s behind you!!! There were some thirty members in the cast ranging from the age of 6 through to 60 and each set on doing their very best to entertain their audience.

As the curtain opened, before us was a large storybook. Caterina, the good cat (Jane Southey) and Alsatia, the bad dog, (Elaine savage) introduced each of the main characters as they stepped through the pages of the book and this made a great opening to the show. Both had excellent diction and characterization was typical panto’.

Scheherezade (Bryony Kirby) and The Sultan (John Simpson) set out the story well and made it very clear just why this story was being told.

The Grand Vizier (Carl Burnside) commanded the stage well and diction was superb. I sat quite near to the front and could hear every word but projection may have been an issue for those at the back of the hall as some of the dialogue may have been lost in the full company scenes.

Esther Bishop (Street Entertainer) worked well with the company dancers and I enjoyed the whole number of “Baubles, bangles and beads”.

Martin Gouldstone’s Dame, Fatima Fandango, was great fun and everybody loved her. There was good interaction with the audience and also Kevin Rayment as the silly Mustafa Screwloose. They made a very good double act.

Beth Marshall as Crown Prince Haroun and Hatty Gouldstone as Princess Jasmine both gave confidant performances and I very much enjoyed their duet, “Make You Feel My Love”. 

Lucy Markwick gave a competent performance as Ali Baba. Posture and vocal ability were good and I particularly enjoyed the song “Tell Me It’s Not True.”

Asbad (Stuart Carnegie) was a convincing baddy but I felt he could have made a lot more of his character and used his height to his advantage.

I enjoyed Hannah Kirby and Maddie Gouldstone as the two knockabouts (Bashim and Grabbit.) Here we had lots of energy and it seemed obvious that these two young actresses got on very well together.  The pace and delivery were excellent and their facial expressions were appropriate and not too over the top. I would like to see this pair work together again. There is great potential here.

Lauren Walker as Majana was a delight. This young actress was well aware of her place on the stage and never blocked or upstaged anyone. She naturally moved herself to make the most of her light and performed with ease with both the adults and her peers. Definitely one to watch.

The younger members of the cast were delightful and obviously enjoying every minute of their time on the stage. Well done everyone.

The chorus worked hard and the dancing and vocals were well rehearsed. 

The show was colourful and moved along at a good pace.

I enjoyed the variety of music in the show and all song choices suited the singer.

The UV element was well thought out and well executed. The skyline was brilliant but I wanted more objects to fly through the sky perhaps becoming a little more OTT each time. A great idea but not enough.

Sound was good and generally projection and diction were excellent.

Choreography was inventive and well within the capabilities of the cast. Congratulations to Hatty and Beth in particular, your choreography ideas worked very well. Keep it up.

This show was great fun, and the audience had a great time. Audience participation was well handled, as was bringing the young members of the audience up onto the stage for the community song.

The programme was clear and informative with relevant information throughout. The front cover was colourful and not too busy. A good design.

Thanking you once again for your hospitality,

Vicki Avery

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