Humpty Dumpty - The Egg's Factor

This was the first time I had seen the story of Humpty Dumpty told in pantomime form. It tells how a curse was put on the country of Eggshellia by a sorcerer but, before it could take effect, the curse was encased in a giant egg by the Court Magician. The egg was placed on the castle wall and as long as it remained there the country would be safe. A guardian, Humpty Dumpty, was appointed to ensure the eggs safety. The action takes place some 20 years after the spell was cast when the evil sorceress Salmonella comes to Eggshellia to revenge her brother who was banished and to take over the kingdom. Salmonella was played with great malevolence by Dawn Gregory eliciting boos and hisses from the audience at her every entrance. Needless to say she got her comeuppance when her assistant Snivel (he of the permanent cold) played by Sean MacIvor to get the sympathy vote, sneezed and blew her magic powder all over her making her disappear and thus becoming the hero of the hour. Humpty Dumpty, played by Claire Daniels, quickly established a rapport with the audience with her catch phrase and made a good comedy pairing with Martin MacKenzie’s sharp tongued dame Mother Hubbard. Her attempts to win over Ian Shearer’s bumbling King Egbert with her beautilicious pastries and buns went down well with the audience. Tracy Chatten gave a strong performance as Mystic Myrtle who, with her crystal ball and predictions of doom to come, tried to warn the townspeople about Salmonella. Jane Milne was delightful as Princess Rosanna and her budding romance with Tommy Tucker, Mother Hubbard’s Assistant (played by Denis Macdonald) finally got the King’s approval when Tommy showed his bravery in rescuing her from the swamp’s custodian Boggart (played by Jade Green). Strong support was given by Sarah Macdonald as maidservant Polly Finders and by William MacDonald and Brett Plumridge as the King’s men Sergeant Lock and Private Bolt respectively. Music used in the show ranged from The Teddy Bear’s Picnic through Matchmaker (from Fiddler on the Roof) and Blue Skies to Don’t Stop Me Now. The set, due to the size of the stage, was simple but colourful and effective as were the costumes. This was truly a piece of community theatre with a chorus of 20 school children and even the local Member of Parliament Jamie Stone taking on the small role of The Curator in the Prologue. Well done everyone!

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