Beauty and the Beast

Scott Jamieson’s script for this version of the well-known fairy tale is full of local references and Doric “spik” as has become expected in an Attic Panto and was lapped up by the audience. Leading the talented cast in the panto antics was Steven Reid as the gallus, gossipy Torry wifie Muggie Moss. Steven was in his element with just the right mix of naughtiness in his asides to the men in the audience – a man named Mike in particular at the performance I attended – and niceness and his singing and dancing prowess shone as he led the company numbers. He was abetted in delivering much of the comedy in the piece by Andrew Reid as his village idiot son Joe King – he must be covered in bruises after the amount of knock-about he participated in! Another comic pairing was provided by Hannah Smith and Robyn Smith as the bubble-headed sisters Connie and Ronnie Simpson left at home in Aberdonia as their level headed sister Bonnie – delightfully played by Anna Seaman – goes off to rescue their father Archie (Matthew Walker) from the clutches of the Beast/Prince. At the castle she encounters the Beast/Prince Sebastian, strongly played by handsome Ross Robertson, who with her mixture of confidence and kindness she wins over. The Prince is under the spell of the power hungry Medea – a superb panto villain performance from Samantha Gray complete with Cruella Deville style wig. However she is no match for Michelle Bruce’s wonderful Fairy G as she returns to Attic Pantoland to once again save the day. This time she is aided by her team of tabard wearing and feather duster wielding “Dichters” – Brenda (Jill Shearer), Vikki Wibberley (Maureen), Gillian Park (Lesley), Ellie Robertson (Senga) and Irene Johnson (Bunty). Mention too must be made of Douglas Finlay as George, the Simpson’s faithful horse, who Fairy G turns into a talking, sparkly-skinned unicorn much to the delight of the younger members of the audience. The singing and dancing by the principals and ensemble alike was excellent from the opening Village People medley to the catchy Eurovision winners medley to The Power of Love finale. Special mention must be made of Maureen’s (Vikki Wibberley) beautiful rendition of “The Rose” in the banqueting scene. The set was simple and bright as befits panto and the costumes designed by Penny Duffy too were bright and appropriate to each character. Congratulations to Scott Jamieson and everyone involved for another fast-paced, laughter filled evening.

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