Hansel and Gretel

Following on the very successful pantomime last year the Society ticked all the boxes again with this production. Another excellent script with a strong story line, flowing logically from scene to scene, a good range of characters, all the usual panto business, and an experienced, talented production team.

Playing to a full house on this the opening night the action started with a bang as Fairy Bluebell and Wicked Witch Nightshade entered to set the scene before the curtains opened to a full stage with a great mix of adults and juniors and a bevy of delightful dancers.

The story unfolded in typical panto style as the usual expected characters were introduced and audience participation was encouraged from the start.

The two youngsters playing Hansel and Gretel were engaging in the title roles, Gretel the feistier of the two, and Hansel with an innocent charm.

They were very well supported by the performer playing their downtrodden father Fritz, who battled resolutely against the machinations of Hildegard their ghastly stepmother, who gave another strong performance.

 Peggy Pumpernickel played a good Dame, definitely a “bloke in a frock”, and her silly son Wally, in an eye-catching red and white striped top, quickly got the audience on his side. 

 “Local Yokels”, Nut Meg and Basil added to the fun, Bluebell made an enchanting Fairy, a good foil to Nightshade a very scary baddie, perfectly summed up in her solo “Devil Woman”.

The Prince was endearingly played, with a great pair of boots, in traditional Principal Boy style. He was well supported by Wolfgang his young equerry, and gypsy-girl Heather as his bride to be. There was a delightful moment in one short scene when the Prince had obviously forgotten to take “her” specs off in the dressing-room, underlined completely by chance later with a line in the script “should have gone to Specsavers” – great stuff!

A memorable pair of Crows, aptly named Russell and Sheryl, played the Witch’s sidekicks, a talented 11-year-old accompanied by a more experienced performer. Their interpretation with Nightshade of “Best at Being Bad” was particularly well delivered.

This was a very inclusive production, and it was lovely to see so many youngsters involved, and each given their moment to shine.

When the Circus came to town another talented 11-year-old playing the Ringmaster certainly took centre stage in his red tailcoat, sparkly hat and black patent shoes and also slipped seamlessly at times into the Junior Chorus. His rendition of “The Greatest Showman”, with the whole cast on stage brought Act I to a stunning close.

The colourful circus scene itself, with a great backdrop, gave all the Adult Chorus opportunity to play cameo roles rather than just shuffle on and off as can sometimes happen, and we were treated to some delightful moments. A deadly knife thrower, a marvellous magician, a not so strong man, a sword-swallower, a multitude of clowns and a delightful human cannonball, all in a myriad of eye-catching costumes.

 Act II kicked off with yet more colourful costumes at Peggy’s gypsy party and another lively chorus number “Get this Party Started”. 

The Juniors were also given plenty to do and were certainly very much part of the action. They had some delightful scenes as forest creatures when Hansel and Gretel were lost in the woods, and the little 6-year-old as Otto the Owl delivered her lines confidently from the tree – she was a real hoot!

There was a good twist in the Baking Scene with a radio commentary running alongside, giving the Chorus members another opportunity to play a variety of small roles and certainly confused the action!

The Ghost Scene went down well with the audience as usual, this time involving a Big Bad Wolf, who was clearly enjoying himself and a delight to watch! 

Sets, scenery, and costumes were spot-on for the story, along with effective lighting and sound. The Petrified Forest was simply stunning, and the scenes where the family went walking through the woods amongst the mobile trees made for great fun.

The attractive troupe of dancers performed perfectly with lots of costume changes and were very much part of all the action, their finale costumes were particularly “glitzy”.

After a break of 10 days the large cast, chorus, extensive backstage crew and production team did brilliantly to bring everything to the stage for opening night with only a few minor hitches.

It was obvious throughout that a huge amount of thought and planning had been given to this production and the impression was of a very “happy ship”, with team work very much to the fore.

The final number, incorporating the walkdown, was excellent with the whole cast singing and dancing together in perfect harmony, making a great ending for an excellent and very warmly received show.

Well done!

 

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