Babes in the Wood

Fun frolics and a frisson of fear – all the ingredients of a good pantomime were here. Updated Rainbow Fairy (Dale Henry) with her mobile phone and deliberate, I hope, mixed up pantos set the young audience going; cheeky, likeable “Dangerous” Dave Knave (Stewart Borthwick) whipped them up further with watching his hat, his archery and his antics; while the villain Sheriff of Nottingham (Daniel Baillie) had them hissing and booing and cheering when he got his comeuppance - all in the spirit of a good panto. Likewise panto dame Nurse Molly Coddle with the outrageous pink eyelashes did not disappoint in humour or in the array of special costumes – some more daring than others! Maid Marion (Michelle Weston) and Robin Hood (Claire Wilson) looked and acted their parts well in the face of the tomfoolery around them. The humorous duo Block and Tackle (Lucy Andrew and Lisa Walker) worked well together in being gullible enough to capture the babes and then in being forgiven. Young Pip (Katie Borthwick) and Penny (Ruth Easton) held their own and are ones to watch for the future. Robin Hood’s band of men, the dancers and the chorus gave a good account of themselves. The audience loved the scenes with the ‘horses’, the school room and the slapstick kitchen and screamed satisfyingly when Dave brandished that wonderful water pistol and sprayed the audience. The musicians were well prepared with their multi-coloured brollies, so visually as well as musically contributed to the fun. This was a great evening’s entertainment.

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.