Babes in the Wood

A large audience watched the Panto which was full of bright sets,costumes which were attractive, and the lighting generally was very good and well designed.

Follow spots are especially important and need great attention especially with a lot of fast movement from the cast and it went very well in this show.

The ensemble numbers were good and despite few men in the chorus the singing was really enjoyable.

Samantha Slim playing Robin Hood was excellent with great stage presence and a dashing Hero.I also like Ashlea Moore as Maid Marion and the duets between the two main characters were very pleasant.

Charlie Vaughan playing Nurse Jemima Jollop gave us a very energetic and lively Nurse.Charlie really goes full on for whatever character he plays.His stance on stage was very much like John Inman’s (Are You Being Served) and I feel that he needs to vary it rather more, especially with arm movements which tend to be very repetitious .Great dancing from Charlie also, and fun costumes.

The hapless duo of Whippem & Floggem played by Paul Mills and Luke Cornelowes could have been much more forceful in the dialogue and pace, but they worked well together.

The dialogue all round was very good,a great improvement from the young people especially on slowing down their lines, which I have commented on before.

I felt the first Act was too long. I believe the choice of songs is very much the Directors and Musical Director and mostly the choice’s fitted in well, but perhaps one or two less would have shortened the Act?

Well done to Sam,Julia and Rachael for many hours of work and patience putting this production on to a really good standard.I believe it was one of the best Panto’s from the company I have seen for several years.

I do feel that the Pantomime is a great effort, and well done to the company for all their hard work in keeping Pantomime alive in Clacton.

I look forward to both your chosen shows in this coming year which I am sure will be enjoyed.

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