Hansel & Gretel

Tyldesley Little Theatre pantomime this year is Hansel & Gretel by Alan P. Frayn and getting a ticket is like gold dust, selling out in just five hours of going on sale is amazing. Jenny Whur takes on the role of Director this year and gives us a colourful romp through the woods. The main set is draped curtains and the flats are covered in various colourful chiffon material which was effective. The Sugar Candy cottage set up-stage was decorated with various sweet and picture book clouds and the oven was aptly named The Kidi Kiln. Glitter curtain, back cloth of the woods and a star cloth were also used. Set Construction Eddie Stanley and Andy Haymes, Set Decoration Peter Hood and Company members. Various oversized prize props are used and the baking scene with the aid of the radio was hilarious, with voice-overs by Alex Sangster, Jenny Whur and Paul Whur. Props Jo Hibbert, Laura Solski, Andy Haymes, Eddie Stanley and Paul Whur.  Stage Management by Jo Hibbert and Laura Solski. Lighting and Sound all helped the show along - Lighting Design Pete Gower and Lighting Operation by Jenny Whur and Jenny Ackerley. Sound Compilation and Editing Paul Whur.

The costumes were fitting and loved the nod to Where’s Wally? Hansel and Gretel looked sweet and the Dame’s costumes were hilarious - loved the silly touches like sports socks with high heels and the aubergine Christmas baubles for earrings. Wardrobe by the ever capable Margaret Speakes, Danny Tooby and Lou Courtney. Make up and hair all looked just the part, loved the rosey cheeks on the chorus that gave a cartoon feel. Hair and wigs by Danny Tooby.

Choreography was a group effort with Cathryn Hughes, Cameron Rowe, Danny Tooby and company members all helping. Martin Taylor once again takes up the role of Musical Director as we were treated to a compilation of old and new songs. Really liked Super Trouper and the men’s chorus stage right.

Jenny Whur has a few animals to deal with in this production and I thought they all had great physicality and characterisation of the animal they were playing. The supportive chorus of Muchen Lunchen were Veronica McCormack, Rebel Moore, Chris Nicholls, Joe Taylor and Fiona Woodhead.  Rachel Moor was unfortunately taken into hospital so Laura Solski, Fiona Woodhead and Joe Taylor stepped into the parts of Klaus The Ringmaster and various other roles. The show must go on - well done to them! Laura Solski played Otto and Wolf. The Nasty Crows’ Nightshades sidekicks were Russell, played by Chris Nichols and Sheryl was played by Veronica McCormack.

The comedy duo were Nut-Meg played by Daisy Clark and Ian Hunter was Basil always trying to make a money.  Ian Hunter also played the strongman in the circus - that image may never leave me, hilarious though! The Prince’s Equerry was Wolfgang played by Alex Sangster. Tom Allen was Wally and the jokes at his expense kept coming - he was great with the audience. (‘a clothes peg short of a washing line’ apparently). The love interest was Cathryn Hughes as Heather and Danny Tooby as Prince Johann who played their part and gave us great vocals, working well together. Catherine Aspinall as Bluebell the Fairy of the Forest looked fabulous in ice blue and worked her magic trying to keep the peace. Lovely song while some of the action was taking place in the forest. Great work.  Mirenda Mason took the title role of Gretel as did Harry King as Hansel. They looked the part, great casting and love the nod to Mirenda’s accent.

Fritz ( ‘I don’t have an opinion, I have a wife’ ) was played Paul Hilton. His not very nice wife and step mum to Hansel and Gretel was Hildegard played by Lauren Allister. Lauren, mistress of the side eye look, gave us the wicked step mum trying to get rid of the kids (although she was under a spell) - Lauren looked stunning and just the part in her red dress. Hilarious the amble through the woods . . . well done! The person who put Hildegard under the spell and thoroughly rotten too was Nightshade played by Andrea Peters who really looked to enjoy getting her teeth into the character. Her ‘shut your gob’ to the audience fantastic. And finally, Cameron Rowe gives us Peggy Pumpernickel who likes to party. Cameron gives us the butch pantomime dame version with gruff voice to match. His splits now legendary. His interaction with the audience is strong and soon gets you on side. The part of the show where the children are invited on to stage has Cameron getting onto the floor and I think this showed a real warmth as not to tower over them. Pantomime is innuendoes and as an audience how dirty your mind is that what your hear. Well! no judgement here but the audience were with you all the way. Congratulations Tyldesley on Hansel And Gretel. Thank you for the invite and hospitality from my guest Beverley and I.

Liz Hume-Dawson

D5 Rep

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