Humpty Dumpty

This year Woodlands TS have a version of this traditional pantomime, written in-house by Gareth Graham who also occupies the Director’s chair. I look forward, each year, to the panto. at Woodlands Hall. The company presents a bright, colourful, tuneful and amusing panto., entertaining both adults and children, although I noticed the youngsters seemed a little more excitable than usual!

This year our hero and heroine are Jasper Green (Ruano Sutton) and Poppy (Chantel Dupree), an engaging couple who have their work cut out for them by a rather upmarket pair of villains, Lady Pimms-Dorset-Dolly (Amy Bridgwood) and Lord Winchester-Cricket-Crumpet (Daniel Dixon). Also on the side of the good are an amusing comedy couple, Lilly (Luke Elliott) and Billy (Lucas Balmer). Luke’s part was due to be played by Marion Faulkner but she was unfortunately indisposed, so Luke stepped in on Christmas Eve, with just a couple of weeks to familiarise himself with the part. Well done, him! We also have a plucky Sheriff (Em Anderson), seeking to do right throughout!

Amy Bridgwood was an impressive female villain although she seemed a little too attractive to elicit the boisterous boos her character really deserved. I was impressed with Daniel (aged 14), Lucas (14) and Em (15) playing adult parts alongside older players but carrying them off with considerable panache. Em Alderson was particularly impressive as the Sheriff. And what is a pantomime without a Dame. In this role we, once again, had Malcolm Alderson as Fruella Bunn. As ever, Malcolm seems born for the part and regularly had the different sections of the audience chuckling out loud, the children and the adults appreciating different levels of naughtiness in the script. Pamela Alderson was an attractive Fairy Queen who managed to control proceedings whenever she was called upon to make an appearance.

The Chorus (all 5 of them) and one or two other players filled any vacant spaces, performing well, together and individually. There were also two dance troupes from the Nicola Gauld School of Dance, different ages but both were enchanting and entertaining.  I have not said much (anything) about Humpty Dumpty, mainly because he was inanimate but he did fall off the wall (or rather was pushed) but he was, happily all back together in time for the finale!.

Congratulations to all involved, onstage and backstage. The large production team all contribute to the sets, props and costumes which do exactly what is required.. Sound and lighting is effective. The stage crew do their jobs seamlessly. And those costumes are as colourful and appropriate as we have come to expect.. The minimal “orchestra” of piano (John Hopkinson) and drums (Liam Westerby) filled all the gaps and accompany effectively throughout. A really entertaining couple of hours which sent the audience home with smiles on their faces.

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