Hansel and Gretl

On first hearing, “Hansel and Gretl” isn’t the first thought that you have when you are talking pantomime but in the hands of the theatrical dynamo that is Joe Logan and the Smile Musical Youth Theatre you know that you needn’t have any worries at all.

Joe’s talent as Director, Choreographer and Writer can be seen throughout the whole piece – from some supremely confident performances – Mollie Bastable’s The Witch of the Wood  put downs delivered calmly and with great effect dealt with some extremely embarrassed latecomers, Josh Mills’, Fanny Knickerbocker handled some very risqué jokes and innuendos with the expertise of someone born to be a pantomime dame and Ruby Blount’s, Brunhilde cleverly adapted version of Little Girls from “Annie”, called ‘Little Kids’  was put across with great finesse and talent.

Joe’s concept manages to be bang up to date with the imminent arrival of Paula Dollywood, played with relish Tegan Lynch, to judge the Ultimate German Bake Off.  Fanny is fancied to win with her culinary reputation and with the help of Hansel and Gretl, delightfully played by Freddie Perry and Andgelle Batchelor-Foster. The local dignitary, Mayor Manfred, played with supreme authority by Thomas Bastable and a great rendition of ‘The Final Countdown’, wants everything to run smoothly but The Witch of the Wood accompanied by her henchmen, Jobs and Worth, played by Erika Steventon and Erin Grehan, making  a great comedy pairing,  are out to spoil her chances, but they haven’t reckoned on the wit and guile of The Spirit of the Wood, played by the cool, calm and collected Isable Landa, who is out to foil the The Witch of the Wood’s plan to kidnap Hansel and Gretl. Otto, Fanny’s idiot son, played with excellent self-assurance and great comedy timing by Taylor Simner, is in love with Gretl but is too afraid to tell her and the scenes between the two of them were a joy to watch.

Sam Broomhall-Tighe‘s Christoph, as the voice of reason, who no one listens to but the audience certainly listened to his superb rendition of ‘Waving Through a Window’ from “Dear Evan Hansen”, who showed their enthusiastic appreciation.

There was also the opportunity for some great cameo performances – Max Ridley’s Klaus, Grace Glover’s Wilma Weasel and Charlie McRobert’s Freddie the Fox all added superbly to the hilarity.

Musical Director, Emily Beaman achieved some incredible highlights with talented principals and ensemble in numbers like One Direction’s ‘Live While We’re Young’ featuring Anna (Esme-Jean Forbes-Moore) Hansel, Gretl, Otto complemented by Joe Logan’s highly inventive and spectacular choreography; Ruby Blount’s ‘Oops! … I did it again’ accompanied by the Dance Team’s amazing moves and the piece de resistance – ‘Shake Your Groove Thing’ finale.

Thank you to the Smile Musical Youth Theatre Family for their lovely welcome and for the privilege of witnessing such enthusiasm and talent, the future of amateur theatre is certainly in good hands.

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