Bun Fight at the OK Corral

Bunfight at the OK Corral is a wacky panto set in the wild west where Belle Bottoms has taken over the Tumbleweed saloon.    The Frisco Kid and gang are in town, Belle Bottoms and the Mayor clash with the women of the temperance movement and there are many other scrapes, twists, turns, corny jokes, local references and a bit of slapstick, culminating in the bunfight of the title.

The sets were well constructed and decorated. There were many scenes ranging from the desert, the saloon, the outskirts of the town, Dodge City and the  OK Corral.   Doc Holliday’s Surgery, the Jail and the Assay Office were depicted by signs hanging above each designated area of the stage.     The haunted gold mine was cleverly constructed with many entrances that allowed the cast to dash, very comedically, in and out, on and off the stage.    There were steps to the auditorium which allowed an entrance to the stage.  The props were brilliant, varied and included a giant comb, bottles, guns, fans, pans, miners lamps and a stethascope.   And who could forget the inflatable horses that appeared towards the end?

The sound was good and the music joyful and uplifting, sung with gusto by the ensemble.   Some of the solos were a little on the quiet side.   Sound effects were very good, especially the apporaching horses effect.     There was an effective sequence, using UV light, for the skeleton dance.

The costumes were excellent.   The saloon girls looked convincing and doubled as Temperance Women by adding shawls or scarves.      Belle Bottoms (the dame) was striking in cow print with pink accessories and glorious, over the top make up.    The hapless pair, Bonnie and Clyde wore ponchos and boots and were reminiscent of Clint Eastwood!    Doc Holliday was suitably shabby and the Marshall was perfect down to his marshall’s badge!    The Friso Kid was in black and that was very much in keeping with the evil nature of the character.    Sheriff Twerp looked very smart in his suit as did Mayor Burke in a brilliant blue jacket.    I particularly enjoyed Fester Coddle’s dungarees and shirt and outrageous wig and beard!

There was so much to enjoy in this panto which had a daft story and larger than life outrageous characters.  It was bursting with energy, colour and energetic songs and dances; my personal favourite being ‘Shake Your Tail Feather’.    Butch Casserole had a warm connection with the audience and led the participation with gusto.   This was a good ensemble piece as well as, at times, giving individuals a chance to shine: Doc Holliday had his moments, Stella Artois took a dominant role as leader of the Temperance Movement.    Mayor Burke and the Sheriff enjoyed a wrongful arrest scene (because of the Sheriff’s poor eyesight) and The Frisco Kid was the butt of the slapstick element of the panto.     The team of choreographers did a great job and made excellent use of the stage.    As always, the artistic, technical and organisational aspects of the production were first class.   Under the direction of Al Birdsworth and produced by Mark Larby, Bun Fight at the OK Corral was a fun way to spend a dark, rainy, February evening.

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