Jungle Book The Pantomime

Author, Script Writer, Director, Actress, is there no end to the talents of Cheryl Barrett? This latest imaginative pantomime, Jungle Book the Pantomime is based on the Rudyard Kipling stories and a most welcome change it is, to the never ending round of Cinderellas, Sleeping Beauties, Snow Whites and all the rest. The main animals are there, plus an unexpected Dame but that of course is acceptable and didn't seem in the slightest bit out of place, even in a jungle.

Mike Buckett headed the set construction crew, while the scenery painting duo were Barbara Howard and Pat Wilson Small. Both set and scenery were noteworthy and the final outcome, a believable jungle scene. The costume department, Liz Santer and Peter Blackburn, did an amazing job, particularly with the animal costumes and those of the Dame. The small orchestra comprised Luke Mulhern, keyboard and Ed Jager, drums and gave enough volume not to drown the soloists, whilst being aware when a little extra support was needed.

Steve Taverner, totally disguised as Jane, the Dame, was on of the best dames I have seen. No silly high-pitched voice, no constant flicking up of skirt to reveal ever more outrageous knickers. An audience friendly lady with no irritating mannerisms and with just the right amount of mild outre to please both adults and children. A great performance. 

The multi talented Peter Harris was Mr Nasty i.e. Shere Khan. His voice, at times oily and sinister, at times loud and determined made him an ideal villain. Once again, a characterisation not over done and therefore all the better for it.

The eight year old Ava Andrews was quite astonishing as Mowgli. She was word perfect, spoke up loudly and clearly and reacted to everything going on around her. She has a bright future in drama, as she can also sing and dance. (A word to future directors. Please ask her not to carry on a conversation with those around her when she should be standing still, listening to whoever is speaking centre stage at the time. Most distracting.) Quite a·drama protegee none-the-less. Well done, Ava! 

The totally disguised Duncan Greaves played the lovable Balou who was always at the side of young Mowgli. Kirstine Davies was the Blue Peacock, somewhat surprisingly attired in an absolutely glorious dress of emerald green. Felicity Lane looked stunning too, playing Bagheera. There were memorable performances all round with Mother Wolf - Sandie Prescott-Brann - and her family of charming wolves; mischievous monkeys headed by Lewis Gadsby - Chitter and William Davies - Chatter; elephants; lions and a large cast of animals and villagers. It is fortunate that the stage at Trinity Theatre can accommodate such numbers, since at times the cast of all fourty seven were on stage together.

There was a lively dance routine, well executed but oh, why were those stage right so po faced? Lovely smiles throughout from the three stage left who realised the importance of looking happy when dancing. It's not just feet but the involvement of the whole body. Note the contestants in Strictly Come Dancing. Never do they let slip their masks of enjoyment. 

The cast of small children - some of them very small indeed - were not only delightful but word perfect when singing. Poppy Gadsby was the cute little tiger cub and there was another slightly older young lady in a light brown dress with a pale stripe down the front who also caught my eye. Where do the CAODS find all these little charmers, year after year?

A most enjoyable panto and just the right length for the young ones in the audience .. Authors all too often forget that children have a very short attention span and should bear this in mind when writing for a predominantly young audience. Proof. This was one of the only pantos I've seen where there was no endless procession to the loo. A sure sign of boredom. So thank you Cheryl for a your Jungle Book creation. A well received, audience friendly pantomime. Which only goes to show how a childhood pleasure of a story can inspire with, as in this case, an unusual spin off.

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