Little Red Riding Hood

Attending a production at Centre Stage is always a pleasure, and their latest pantomime, Little Red Riding Hood, did not disappoint. This family-friendly production, featuring both adult and youth performers, struck the perfect balance of humour and heart, making it an enjoyable experience for audiences of all ages. The show’s charm lay in its ability to layer jokes for children and adults alike, which is one of the hallmarks of a successful pantomime.

Wesley Mottershead, as the Wolf, was undoubtedly one of the standout performances of the evening. He brought a strong presence to the role, creating a villain that was both menacing and captivating. His delivery was full of energy, and he had a great rapport with the audience, often playing up the villainous character with flair. There were moments when the sound was a little unbalanced, which made some dialogue and vocals difficult to hear, but this was a minor issue in an otherwise strong performance.

Elizabeth Barton as Little Red Riding Hood gave a confident performance, especially in the second half of the show. While she appeared a little nervous at the start, this added a layer of charm to her character and quickly dissipated as she grew more comfortable in her role. She brought warmth and innocence to Little Red, and her characterisation was solid, even if some elements of stagecraft needed a bit of attention. For example, there were times when the younger members of the cast were positioned facing away from the audience, which made it harder to engage with their performances. However, this is something that was likely refined as the run continued.

James Woolford’s Dame Dolly was a delightful addition to the show, and he brought a traditional sense of panto magic to the role. His performance was full of energy, and his interactions with Jake Ashworth’s Silly Billy were particularly fun to watch. Their chemistry was fantastic, with Woolford's Dame Dolly acting as the perfect foil to Ashworth’s chaotic and lovable Silly Billy. He was a joy to watch, bringing plenty of humour and spontaneity to the role. His ability to ad-lib when things went off-script added a refreshing, humorous unpredictability to the show, which is always a favourite in pantomimes.

Taya Bosson and Natasha Robson, playing Alice and Tom respectively, also impressed with their performances. They had excellent vocal abilities, which added a lovely musical quality to the production. Their on-stage relationship was sweet and believable, providing a nice balance to the more comedic elements of the show.

While there were a few minor technical issues with the sound and stage positioning, these did not detract from the overall enjoyment of the pantomime. The energy from the cast was infectious, and the audience was clearly enjoying every moment. The costumes were vibrant, and the sets created a welcoming and whimsical atmosphere that was perfect for the fairytale world of Little Red Riding Hood.

Overall, this was a fun and entertaining production that brought the classic story to life with plenty of laughter, colourful performances, and heart.

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