: Around the World in 80 Days – The Pantomime

The thought of travelling around the world in about 2 hours must strike fear into the heart of any Stage Manager. The large number of sets and the short time in which to change them were handled extremely well by the stage crew.

The script to this pantomime was very funny and we hadn’t finished laughing at one punch line before another was thrown at us. This type of writing demands a slick, punchy delivery and for most of the time this is what we got. On occasions there was a little hesitation which I suspect was just first night nerves. Most of the quick fire delivery was in the capable hands of Dave Crump (Amanda Cook) together with Richard Pritchett (Fix) and Peter Walker (Break). The three of them made a good team. Demetri Wade (Passpartout) worked the audience well and showed what a good singing voice he has. He accompanied Phileas Fogg (Lisa King) and Lulu Cockayne (Surfina) on their intrepid journey around the world. These characters worked well together in providing the romantic interest as ‘principal girl and boy’. Any pantomime should have a character to help and one to hinder the smooth passage of time. Ruth Murray (Saturn Nirvana – SatNav for short) was the former delivering her lines succinctly and clearly. Meirion Buck (Gringeworthy) elicited ‘hisses and boos’ from the audience every time he appeared. Some linking to the story was very well provided by Jodie Cockeram (BBC Correspondent) who appeared at every destination in a different costume and with a different accent. There are too many characters to mention in every port of call but the cast must have had a frantic time changing costume.

The stage is tiny but the chorus managed to do some movement on it in spite of this and it was also nice to see some new members on stage.

The trio in the pit were very supportive of the singers and at no time was it impossible to hear words because they were too loud.

Well done!

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.