Frankenstein

Nunthorpe Players Panto took a turn with a new script of “Frankenstein” providing an evening with lovely true Panto entertainment, with the traditional features of goody principal boy played by Emma Oldfield as “Prince Ludwig”, and town lovable boy “Frankie” played by Jo Anne Smith, who was transformed into the “Frankenstein” monster and with the gruesome baddies of “Count Dracula” and his mother “Granula” played by Stuart Micklewright and Norma Timney respectively. The song competition, the water squirting, cream pies, corny jokes with added local content scenes and colourful Dame “Miss Nelly” played by Lee Rodgers all came into to play, and music provided very nicely by the 4 piece live band, with joke punctuation expertly done by the drummer.

The story is a village living under fear of Count Dracula, with tavern couple Herr Pumpernickel (Stuart Micklewright) and his bossy wife Frau (Diane Pargeter) who have adopted their daughter “Heidi” (Charlie Jukes) who is mistreated and has only two friends her pal “Frankie” and her Dog “Kodak” (Charles Cavendish), visited by Prince Ludwig and his consort “Buckles” (Jayne Harrison), and the town mad scientist “Professor Crackpot” (Brenton James).  When School Mistress Miss Nelly brings her 5 young girls to stay, they leave their bedroom window open allowing Dracula and his mother to ‘fly in’ and start the chaotic scenes of blood chasing mayhem.  When Frankie is bitten by Granula’s teeth then Professor saves her from becoming a vampire by transforming her to the monster “Frankenstein” …………….

The colourful red walled set provided the back drop with additional furniture brought on stage to create the several scene scenarios with the use of front tabs.  The lighting created some nice lighting effects and sound added musical embellishments, thunder, and with no mics all diction was excellent to support the singing that had nice harmonies and a chorus with character.  A good use was made of various songs from musical numbers to pop classics, with a lovely solo from Charlie Jukes, all songs choreographed to use the eight chorus and various principals and stage space very well. Charles Cavendish in his dog costume and makeup provided a delightful character for the children to bond to, and hailed by the whistles at the call of Heidi. The 5 school girls all had lovely independent characters and good voices.

The costumes were colourfully bright and appropriately characterised to add to the scenes, and the transformation scene cleverly done using a back light to create silhouettes onto hospital screens, and providing some good comedy moments and a suitably green monster. The Draculas’ makeup and costumes added the sinister effect whilst the Count with his cute speech defect meant he was not too scary for the kids – well done Stuart.

Well done all for a traditional panto with a different script - a pleasant change, and enjoyed by the enthusiastic if smaller audience. Pity a change to new can mean a fewer audiences, as the company had worked hard and deserved support. for a traditional panto with a different script - a pleasant change, and enjoyed by the enthusiastic if smaller audience. Pity a change to new can mean a fewer audiences, as the company had worked hard and deserved support.

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