Once Upon a Time

Director Stephanie Phipps skilfully gave all the characters very individual personalities which hugely enriched the basic plot. The audience were treated to a rivalry between Cinderella and Snow White with catty dialogue spiced with insults galore.

Cinderella was played by Franceska Blewitt while Snow White was played by Kathryn Llewellyn, and both were costumed as befitting their characters. The two Princesses played their parts particularly well. I enjoyed the spats between the characters and how they managed to tell stories of poisoned apples, dwarves, midnight and glass slippers. Their respective Prince Charming’s were played by Trevor Bavin and Mike Robertson. I thoroughly enjoyed their drunken scene together.

Gertie the Dame was expertly played by Dave Smith who had a great rapport with the audience. Gertie was every very bit a panto dame and seized every opportunity to try to break out into song. It got a laugh out of the audience when Gertie desperately tried to get a kiss with Jack, who was also well played by Gemma Elsey, who frantically managed to dodge each advance.   The hero Prince Marvellous played by Beverley Syrett who intended to marry Princess Lottie, played by Charlotte Kay were a fine match and both worked well together. The evil witch Evelyn was brilliantly played by Leanne Van Berkum who plots against some fellow pantoland characters. Finally, the comedy duo Nick and Nack played by Zoe Tebbutt and Kate Webb, had the audience working with them throughout the whole panto and become favourites with their antics.

The first half ended with a custard pie fight involving, amongst others, the Mad Hatter played by Maree Gaskin, March Hare by Linda Coley and Alice by Charotte-Alice Spicer. In act two we met some more characters. Gerry Searle played Hook, Linzi Robertson as Red Riding Hood, James Wilby played the Wolf. Several of the Dwarves were played by Ross Longman, Wendy A'ness, Karen Barton and Jonathan Pipe.

The music under the Musical Director Richard Langstone and his band was outstanding. I would highlight ‘Reach for the Stars’, ‘Perfect’, and finally, ‘Green Green Grass’. The costumes were colourful, well fitted and well in keeping with the feel of the panto.   Matt Buckley supplied and operated sound and lighting. The special effects designed by Mike Gaskin added that extra little pizzazz to the show and was beautifully put together.

All these dedicated and talented people should take a bow for their magnificent work on this vibrant show.

Well done.

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