Crusoe

This year’s panto, Crusoe, performed for our delight by St Gabriel’s ADMS, was very much in the tradition of local pantos, with a script written and directed by principal cast member Simon Thompson. 

A great welcome awaited us on a cold and wet Thursday evening, however the warmth I received was very much appreciated and I soon felt I was in for a great night with new friends.

Mrs Smee tried her very best to get the audience going and was typical of a panto dame with quick one liners and humour. Sam and Ella must be mentioned as taking the show to the very next level with their great acting skills and perfect engagement with the audience. As soon as they entered the stage, it was clear to see they were here to make an impact!

Blackpatch’s performance was strong, and he was an almost likeable villain. The captain must be mentioned as the character you fall in love with, he portrayed a vulnerable and foolish character, however the role soon demonstrated that he had all his wits about him as he quite rightly had them all conned and eating out of his hands!  

Congratulations to Georgina Sutton on the recent NODA award, I can see clearly that Georgina puts her all into her role and this was very much repeated in her role as Jack in Crusoe.

As ever, it was good to see so many young people displaying theatrical skills and developing confidence on the stage. It was good, too, to see some excellent dancers and the enthusiasm lit the room. I must pick out one very enthusiastic young man whom I have no doubt will be in many shows of the future (Harry Ingham) who was the most smiley and energetic cast member of the evening! Well done, Harry.

The backstage team produced basic scenery and props, however over complication wasn’t needed and it all worked well. The choreography was well thought-out and lively, and made best use of the limited space on the stage.

Some scenes stood out: the lucky lucky sketch, Selwyn’s ‘S’ word scene and the dinner set gift scene, all had me laughing and very much engaged and it was extremely refreshing to see new material into a panto and again very well written by Simon.

What could be improved I always ask myself as a reviewer? The most useful feedback on this occasion, would be limiting the backstage noise and curtain peeping before the show and at the interval, as well as encouraging the cast to stay in role until they have clearly exited the stage as well as always engaging with the audience through eye contact and facial expression. However again this is feedback for improvement and certainly didn’t taint the evening.

Overall, it was a memorable and fun production, a real team effort, but also a great credit to each member.

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