Hansel and Gretel

A lively chorus of youngsters introduced us to the town of Pleasantville, home of Ma Kipling, baker extraordinaire and her dippy son Oswald. David Cheape as Ma and Mike Burns as Oswald keep the storyline tumbling along providing many of the laughs. Cerys Fitzgerald plays Ulrika Kipling, Ma’s vivacious daughter perfectly and is soon spotted by the nicely played Prince Oliver (Kim Brymer).

Hansel and Gretel appear quite early on as their mother, Ma’s sister, has died, running away from their new-stepmother to stay with their aunt. Hamish Kendall is a very natural Hansel well-matched with a sweet-voiced Carly Geddes as his sister, Gretel. Local bobbies Flip and Flop, Jerry Swinley and Charlie Ferrier, and Connor Berg as Hugh Handitover contribute well to the ongoing nonsense.

A local baking competition is instrumental in announcing the arrival of the baddies with Andy Gilbride as the suitably surly Barry Bagel, determined to steal Ma’s light-as-air fairy cake recipe to win the competition. His “henchmen”, Gary and Baldi are played energetically by Eve Swinley and Linzy Evatt. They kidnap Hansel and Gretel, take them to the woods and hold them to ransom till Ma hands over her recipe (hidden in her knickers, of course). But when the baddies are scared off by a wolf man, the kids make their escape only to find themselves lost and starving in the woods.

Meantime the audience is treated to a delightfully costumed gingerbreadmen chorus. When the children see the gingerbread house for the first time they can’t resist taking a piece. Cue the entrance of Amelia Allspice, thankfully a good witch who doesn’t want to eat them. Cath Eddie is great fun in the role ably supported by Sarah Oliphant as her daughter Saffron. The children are rescued and a Great British Bake Off competition takes place between Ma and Barry with Ma winning and “Paul Hollywood” and “Prue Leith” taking cameo roles.

Throughout we are treated to lively up to date chorus numbers ranging from The Greatest Showman to Thriller, catchy choreography, and well rehearsed dances all colourfully enhanced by bright costumes and clever touches.

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