Hansel & Gretel

This was my first visit to see Bar-Clay, a small village group and I was really impressed by the way they have learnt to cope over the years with quite a large cast of 25 on such a small stage. They were all so enthusiastic and put plenty of energy into their performances.

This Panto written by Alan Frayn was a newly revamped version of the familiar fairy tale and was packed with plenty of colourful comic characters and up to date jokes, but still with all the traditional family Panto fun.  The two young leads, Hansel and Gretel played by Connor Farman and Megan Hunting are confident and show a spark of cunning to get out of difficult situations. Fritz their father, was well portrayed by Robin Warne showing a warm and compassionate father, totally unlike their step-mother (Rosie Cook) who was thoroughly horrible to the children throughout leaving them alone in the forest, although latterly we learnt she was under the influence of the wicked witch.  The dame, Peggy Pumpernickel (Jonathan Smith) along with her son Wally (Danny Singleton) were both very jovial, colourful, comic characters who interacted well with their audience.

I understand that Prince Johann was originally to be played by Poppy Harvey who unfortunately broke her foot just after Christmas and we wish her a speedy recovery. At very short notice Tom  Hitchcock took on the role, not that the audience would have ever guessed as he was word perfect, confident and a strong singer. Lucy Mayhew portrayed Heather, Peggy’s daughter, whose romantic involvement with the Prince is both credible and well-executed. Rosie Wood delivered a strong and assured performance in the role of the villainous Witch Nightshade. She looked amazing and was a talented singer.  Playing opposite her was Jemma Foster as the Good Fairy Bluebell ensuring Nightshade came to a sticky end.   Two other experienced and convincing characters were Basil (Geoff Rogers) and Nutmeg (Linzi Hall).  Both looked great in their authentic looking costumes.  There were good performances from all the other very believable characters who gave terrific support to the leads.  The chorus comprised of some younger dancing chorus who gave a lively energy into their well choreographed musical numbers and an older mixed chorus who produced an effective lumberjack scene. There were also some great, rather scary looking crows , Russell Crow and Sheryl Crow played by Felix Hitchcock and Seren Harrison.

With such a small stage and virtually no backstage space, the set and props had to be carefully designed to maximize the performing area for the cast. Sue Bound had designed the set which had all been excellently hand painted by her and Megan Summers. The numerous flats looked so effective and really set the scenes brilliantly along with the charming gingerbread house they had constructed. Lighting and colourful costumes also enhanced the production well.

Barham and Claydon are both small villages but this Company like to give back to this local community and provide a ‘relaxed performance’  which I am told was well supported. It is quite a challenge for the cast not to get distracted and to keep to their lines but at the same time to interact with the audience when they are heckled, so well done to them.

This was an entertaining and enjoyable production for both us and their supportive audience and our thanks go to Ben Cook and all his cast and crew.

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