Dracula the Panto

Dracula The Panto
Presented by St Ambrose Players
St Ambrose Hall, Layland. 7th December 2023.
Written by David White
Directed by Beth Wharton & Assistant Director Sarah White
Musical Director Judith Oakes
Choreography by Phreya Unitt, Jennie Barnes and Beth Wharton

David White, you produced a cleverly constructed script with thought through three dimensional characters perfectly dovetailed with the choice of songs.  

The opening scene,....bright high energy with lovely harmony and really imaginative choreography working so well on a relatively small stage instantly drawing the audience into the story and the magical world of pantomime. Everyone on stage focused but not tense, so many young boys and girls completely engaged in the scene and really enjoying being part of the story, stars of the future in that line up. The opening scene was indicative of how the whole pantomime would run and as the story started to unfold it was a joy to note that St Ambrose approached pantomime as serious as they would a Shakespeare play.

The Cast... Dracula: David White lived the part he had created.
Rosebud The Dame: Paul Jame definite stage presence and good gestures and movement.
Morris Piper: Rachel Cooper a lovely interpretation of the character.
Scarlett Vanhire: Jenny Harbottle a remarkable creative interpretation of the character.
Professor Vanhire: Alison Griffiths Barnes another perfect interpretation of the character.
Bram: Jonathan Holmes and Stoker Fraser Bruce worked perfectly together, really likeable characters and generous actors.
Frank: Oliver Grindrod and Steyn Izzy tenant another duo a joy to watch, perfect timing and real chemistry.
Village idiot/Old Krone/Mother-in-law: Siobhon Edge, each character created with skill and depth, an accomplished actress.
Captain: Mac MacCormack, just the right balance of presence and authority.
Invisible man: Stephen Barnes, a lovely part to play look forward to seeing more of you next time.
Bosun: Vicky Watson, really good characterisation Vicky!

A triumph for the first-time director Beth Wharton and assistant director Sarah White. Hard to believe this was your director’s debut, really well done. You lifted the scenes and characters from the page with an accomplished director’s mindset. Perfectly cast, with a fine eye for detail. Some really lovely moves with gestures throughout. Outstanding for any director, remarkable for first time.

Choreography imaginative and really clever on a relatively small stage. Lovely ballet scene with three young ladies adding variety to the pantomime mix.

It was difficult to highlight any actor’s performance in the show because the standard was so high having said that it would be remiss to not mention the performance of Jenny Harbottle and Alison Griffiths Barnes. The multitasking Siobhon Edge as the Village idiot/Old Krone/Mother-in-law, an accomplished actress.

Musical director: Judith Oakes sensitive accompaniment and some lovely harmony.

Stage Manager & Team: Seamless operation.

Set Design: Paul Gregson, set design and painting was at an exceptional standard for an amateur company.

Lighting & Sound: Ryan Scott and Stephen Barnes, atmospheric!

Wardrobe: Beth Wharton, Jean Lee & cast. Each costume matched perfectly to the character it positively enhanced the characters performance, well done.

Thank you for the warm welcome on what was a wet and windy night.

David Davies

On behalf of
NODA NW
DISTRICT 6
REP

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