Hearts, Hoods and Happy Ever After

It was pleasure to be invited to watch your production of Hearts, Hoods and Happy Ever After. You are an extremely lucky group to be so well supported by your community.   I should think many of the groups I attend would like to add another night to their planned run because of requests from locals. I was looking forward to watching your performance on the scheduled dress rehearsal.

As stated in the programme the story, which was scripted in house by a new writer was based on the traditional tale of Little Red Riding Hood but had many twists and turns, with additional players and an unexpected end for the Big Bad Wolf.

The hall was set out with a curtained stage with steps down to the hall set at stage right and left. There was a box set between the steps with a globelike structure which was used to shine light towards the ceiling and out in an arc. Set at stage right there was an area with a stool, music stand and light.

Lights were set on two bars across the hall with others above the playing area. These were well controlled and used to enhance the scenes.

The projected images as always added to the performance. We travelled with various characters through a forest, onto a tropical island with a magic trail for Tink, the three bears kitchen and locally to Altarnun church and the Kings Head.

The stage was dressed with a variety of large properties. There were several boxes and a decorated table to depict the three bears kitchen with appropriately sized bowls and the three pigs’ houses were well constructed. Smaller personal props were used well by the members of the cast.

Some of your company were wearing radio mics which are useful for projection of text but there appeared to be a few issues with crackling and cutting out. I did wonder with the size of your hall and the experience of some of your players is they could be dispensed with? This was just a suggestion because I have been told by a professional sound engineer that if mics are used all those on stage need them to ensure the sound is balanced correctly.  The sound effects that were used during the production were excellent and added to the story.

There was a wide variety of musical numbers used during the show from classical to ballads and show tunes to more modern-day numbers. All were accompanied by backing tracks some with lyrics and others without. Those without I felt worked more effectively for the cast member performing to them, they were not trying to project over them.  The opening number which was used for both halves had appropriate words but was maybe a little too long, some little ones around me were getting a little restless. There were some lovely singing voices within your cast and it was great to hear them performing, well done.

The members of your company had all learnt the varying types of movement routines and performed them with smiles on their faces.

The costumes used by the players had been well chosen to suit their different characters. They were well-fitting and it was great to see all accessories had been correctly added.

Your story was opened by your beautifully attired Narrator who clearly explained the ‘Housekeeping announcements’ with the aid of two little helpers with their signs which ensured the audience understood what was expected of them.  She then took her seat on stage right and proceeded to move the story forward, assist with lines and sang her three complex songs tunefully with confidence.

The curtains opened and we were introduced to the Queen of Hearts who was reading from her scroll and joined by the White Rabbit who was saying ‘I’m late’ as expected. They clearly set the beginning of the tale and introduced the next characters.

Next sitting on a green box in front of a forest backdrop we are introduced to a young lady dressed in an iconic red outfit. But, we soon realised that this Red Riding Hood was not a subservient character she was emboldened. She knew her own mind and was not following prior expectations of her. She spoke with a clear expressive voice, sang well, interacted with other members of the cast and had excellent stage craft.  As would be expected where Red Riding Hood was found you the next character you meet is the Wolf.  I thought dressing ‘him’ as you did was inspired and the detailed mask added to ‘his’ presence, the red stage spot also helped. Your actor used all her skills to create a strong character with a clear voice and declared that he was ‘remodelling the fairy tale world’. This statement became clear as the story progressed.  ‘He’ did though cause the audience to titter when he failed to find the exit from the stage area.

The next actor to appear was dressed in blue with a blond wig and was carrying a large bag, which proved very useful at times. As we all tried to decide which fairy tale character she was depicting, she introduced herself as Blu (Red’s sister). She was unlike Red in many ways and I can safely say she was the ‘man-eater’ of the performance, no man was safe. She flicked her blond hair and chased them all. Your experience artist played the part with ease, much to the annoyance of her sister at times. Her dialogue was clear, she sang well, encouraged and interacted with those on stage and moved with confidence.

To complete Red’s story, we were next introduced to Grandma whom the narrator explained was ‘reading from her script’. She looked ideal with her dress, slippers, crocheted shawl and bobble hat. When she put her glasses on her speeches were clearly delivered.

The tale moved onto an island where were onto the next fairy tale and met Tinkerbell, Peter Pan and the Lost Boys.  These were well rehearsed and delivered their lines with feeling and moved well. The two little girls who came up on stage really enjoyed their minutes of stardom.

The action was then transported back to Altarnun’s village green where we were introduced to Jack who spoke with conviction. He was carrying a St Piran’s flag ‘s leading of course to a chorus of the Cornish Anthem Trelawney. Jack’s beanstalk was damaged and he was looking for a replacement. To help Blu played a version of ‘Blind Date’ where all the contestants names rhymed with their place of resident and Jack was able to find himself a replacement and hit the road with it.

The second began in the King’s Head where Red and Blu were trying to wake the audience up and the next fairytale characters gave us a clue and we were in the kitchen of the three bears where the room was laid out with a table, box and broken chair and the dastardly Wolf was viewed through the window on the projected backdrop. Goldilocks who created an excellent character spoke clearly and sang beautifully was upset and needed help. The three children from the audience were great and followed instructions well when making the porridge.

Your next characters were Mummy Pig and Gammon, Rasher and Streaky. Mummy attired in her pink dress and pig ears and nose was explaining clearly to the pigs that they had to move out. The three pigs as the story goes made their decisions about the structure of their homes. They all knew their texts and delivered them clearly to the audience. It was interesting to see how Bob the Builders and his work force had been enlisted with their tartan paint and instant wall to help.

The narrator moved the story on and the audience were presented with the three finished dwellings but of course the predictable happened and the Wolf blew the first two houses down. Blu stepped in with her big magnet and held him while he tried to grab Red but she cleverly evades him.

Suddenly there were fireworks and he ‘Beast like’ transformed in a real man who proposed to Little Red Riding Hood. She being the feminist she was said no, but luckily Blu eventually got her man!

This was certainly a different interpretation of the story of Little Red Riding Hood. Your writer had been able to include a variety of fairytales, a well know children’s tv programme and a new character to create an entertaining show. I realise that this was really a dress rehearsal and there were some unexpected issues but the show was greatly enjoyed by all the members of the audience.

Thank you for the invitation to view your pantomime this year and congratulations too all your members both performing and non performing for a lovely afternoon’s entertainment.

Disclaimer 

Any observation made by the reviewer can only be based on what he sees at the performance in question.  The reviewer may have received information in advance of the performance and it is inevitable that his assessment will be affected by that knowledge. 

The NODA Representative’s intention is to give an objective critique of the overall production and in particular, the performance.  It should be remembered that any review of this nature can only be objective as far as the techniques used during the performance observed.  Any criticisms expressed may not have been valid at other performances and are only made to encourage higher standards in Amateur Theatre. 

 It is hoped that the audience’s appreciation of your efforts will have given everyone a lift and encouraged you to greater achievements in the future and that the observations made by the reviewer will prove helpful in improving future productions.

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