FRANKIE GOES TO HORRORWOOD

The New Garrett Theatre Present their “Not Your Typical Panto” with Frankie Goes To Horrorwood  world premiere written by Dane Round. This production had been postponed twice due to covid and maybe it was meant to be as being performed near Halloween it gave some younger audience members the chance to dress up in Halloween season. The production team is huge and it is noted that more than one person gets stuck in to more than one job in bringing this production to life, all this is co-ordinated by producer Ryan Gerrard.  Dane Round also directs with Helen Taylor and assistant is Ryan Gerrard to bring this spooky spectacular to life. With audience participation a must and songs we know and word puns on character’s names it was a refreshing change and quite modern. Loved the ode to the superheroes with positioning and lights, great touch.

The set was used well and various trucks were brought on and off quickly by stage crew or cast. With different scenes depicted including a spooky castle on a hill backcloth and an area stage right where Mismatch the puppet was housed. Set Design Karl Gerrard and Ryan Gerrard. Stage Manager Joseph Hurst and Crew Cameron Lyth, John Smith and Guy Tudgay. The Sound and effects used to enhance the show were good. Sound Design Louise and John Proctor Sound Crew Ryan Gerrard and Toni Maloney.  Lighting very atmospheric and lots of reds and green used in true spooky style to enhance the scenes. Just in the song “The Female of The Species” I did think it was a bit dark as Victor’s face was obscured during the song so a lot of the inflections of it were missed. But overall, I think the atmosphere was achieved throughout the show. Lighting Design by Jack Welsby, Crew Andy Garvey and Dean Warham. Wardrobe must have had so much fun with all befitting outfits for the characters and the idea of the Dame just changing her wigs was great. Wardrobe by Lesley Egan, Helene Lyth, Louise Taaffe and Marysia Welch. The make-up was out-standing with a Coraline-meets-Chuckie effect. The blood was flowing, the veins stood out and the faces made to look like they had been sewn together really complemented the costumes and characters. Make-up Co-ordinator Helen Lyth, Make-up Assistant Louise Taaffe and the Zombie make-up which was amazing by Laura Gaskell.

A mention must be given to the Narrator Mismatch who as a puppet is thrown away by Doctor Victor at the beginning of the show and in his little corner of the stage guides us through the story. Voiced and operated by Dave McCarrick who is brought to life near the end, when we see the real life-sized Mismatch.  The cast Rave at The Grave Contestants Yvonne Gerrard playing Claire Patra who couldn’t get the beat like an Egyptian and Dead Elvis flexing those hips, Tracy Peet. Joanne Coates - my ears are bleeding from your Wailing Cathy.  Helene Lyth playing Gill Finn with all the fish jokes you can throw at her and a great accent. Mayor Wolfmon played by Danny Haymes and a sucker if anyone throw’s him a ball, he worked well with Theodore Lyth who was Spectacular as Dracooler. Looked the part and great accent - very slick. Fantastic scene with the invisible man where they fought and funnily enough he wasn’t even credited. The Comedy duo Mischa Riley as Mary and Megan Lyth as Shelley worked so well together, great facial expression and reaction to what was happening on stage. The imaginary ball scene was enthusiastic and funny. Francine Tallhair was played by Stephanie Maloney and “I’m in Love with a Monster” was slick and gave us the sexy glam. Karl Gerrard as Doctor Victor - I don’t think many actors can say they were thrown back on stage in bits. Louise Taaffe played the Dame Nanny Stitches and her cooking I would not want to sample with her Cockroach and Chips and Magatoni on the menu - hilarious. Emma Taaffe played the title role Frankie who really isn’t that scary and just longs for the bright lights of Horrorwood. With a fabulous voice she soon shone in the lights. The villain-turned-good Igor played by Jim Taylor must be given some Addams Family clicks for his role. Complete with hunch and bent over stance we loved to hate him. He kept in character all the time even when he had run around the stage and was gasping for air.  He was also had a cheeky side. Well played.

It is lovely to see something different and hats off to The New Garrett Theatre Cast, Crew and Committee. Thank you from my guest Beverley and I.

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