Hansel and Gretel

I was very disappointed to be unable to attend RATC pantomime this year as it is always a joy to see their extremely talented group of players bring so much Christmas joy to the Galashiels audiences.

My good friend Anne Clark, who has been associated with our local NODA affiliated company for almost 50 years, was kind enough to offer to step into my shoes and review Hansel & Gretel for me. Her report speaks for itself! 

 

I was delighted to be ask to report on this production as Deborah was unavailable. I had heard great reports about this fantastic company and was certainly not disappointed, and can honestly say I had a smile on my face from start to finish.

The excellent production team created a wonderful night of fun and laughter, fabulous singing of many well known songs and very slick choreography.

A vital part of pantomime is audience participation and this started even before curtain up with the audience clapping along to the overture, by a talented three piece band, something I hadn’t heard  before at any other local pantomime.

During the very colourful and slick opening number ‘Wake Up Boo’, we were introduced to cast members Fritz (Craig Douglas), Hansel & Gretel (Felix Edmunds & Emme Swantson), Heather (Carrie Smith) and the enthusiastic chorus.

The part of Wally was in the lively, experienced shoes of Stuart Mitchell, who got the audience engaged every time he skipped on stage.

The adversarial roles were excellently portrayed by Leanne Robinson as ‘Bluebell’ and Amanda Blacklock as ‘Nightshade’. Experienced actress and singer, Amanda, with evil in mind, gave the audience lots of opportunity to boo and hiss, although also earned worthy applause for her superb rendition of ‘Devil Woman’.

The flamboyant Dame Peggy was perfectly portrayed by stalwart Jodie Millar. His outrageous, colourful costumes, along with his ‘big knocker’, had the audience in stitches every time he entered the stage.

The roles of Hansel and Gretel’s Father and Stepmother were well payed by the experienced partnership of Craig Douglas and Amy Welsh.  Craig’s vocal talent very much came to light in ‘The Lumberjack Song’.

A special mention also goes to the engaging characters Basil (Billy Rooney) and Nut-Meg (Hannah Scott) who excelled in the numbers ‘Fast Food Song’ and ‘I Don’t Need Anything But You’.

The company chorus were superbly choreographed and enthusiastic throughout the whole production with a special mention to the the marvellous junior members. The children’s lively singing and dancing thrilled the supportive audience and I’m sure will have made many a parent extremely proud.

The inclusion of ‘The Crows’ was cleverly done, with Cheryl (Tracy Borthwick) and Russell (Julie Smith) taking the lead in the team of dancers. I have to say that I do have a phobia of birds but they happily won me round.

With such a high standard of production it is often difficult to choose a highlight amongst many but I’m sure that for me and the audience it would quite possibly be the amazing circus scene. 

It had everything to fully engage an awestruck audience. Superb!

The annual treat, was the guest appearance on stage of the 2024 Braw Lad and Lass, Jamie Bell and Rebecca Grieve, always receiving waves and cheers of recognition from excited youth groups. 

The fantastic finale included company numbers ‘I’m A Believer’, ‘Thank You For The Music’ and seasonal Christmas songs. Such a perfect way to send an audience home, still singing in their minds with happy smiles. Very well done everyone and thank you for a great night’s entertainment.  

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