Ali Baba and The Forty Thieves

We were off to a good start when the curtains opened onto the most glorious set. Stage manager Ken Branson had obviously worked his magic, and Larrie Lampert’s and Carolynn Crawford’s painting skills are to be commended, as the flats were superb. Set construction on this small stage must be very difficult, but as usual was superbly constructed by Simon Fountain and Ken Branson. Good sound and lighting, interesting props and very slick scene changes continued to add an extra dimension to this panto. Anne Swailes and team are also to be commended for their skills in managing the wardrobe. Costumes were authentic, colourful and most appropriate. Well done to all backstage crew, a mammoth task on this small stage.

The new chairman, David Madgwick, has obviously added his ‘Magic’ in working hard to continue in the tradition of this society giving us a thoroughly entertaining evening of traditional panto fun. Couldn’t resist that one Dave!

Sound performances from Sue Wood (Ali Baba), Kirsty Famelton (Marjana), Mark Famelton (Prince Haroun) and Pat Lewis (Princess Jasmine) kept the show running at a lively pace. The comedy duo Robert Howey and Victoria Richardson, as Bashim & Grabbit, worked very well together, were well rehearsed and very good at involving the audience and keeping them on their toes.  Playing opposite each other Joan Wilkinson (Alsatia) and Kay Evans (Caterina) were excellent in their roles as good versus evil. Their singing solos were superb and a highlight of the evening. Mike Jevons (Dame Fatima Fandango) was hilarious, as usual, a natural in this role and his belly dancing left us in stitches. Robert Famelton (Mustafa Screwloose) was cast as the simple silly man and he fulfilled this role admirably, showing his years of acting experience. Bill Wood (The Sultan) and Carol Hawkins (story teller, Scheherazade) made a good duo.  We warmed to them as the story unfolded, and were relieved when The Sultan did not chop off her head, for, as in all pantos, good prevailed. The minor roles were well cast and all acted them extremely well, consequently we had a really good show and a fun evening. However special mention must go to new comer John Mawer who played Asbad. What an outrageous performance, so slick, hilarious, menacing, I could go on and on but just ‘Brilliant’.

This was a real community effort to stage this show. This society works hard to give the public a superb evening of entertainment, and this year was no exception.   Well done to all involved, and looking forward to next year already.

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