Once Upon a Time

As a trek through Pantoland, this script included many of the best known characters and was among the very funniest I have seen. The basis of the plot concerned the proposed marriage between Princess Lottie, daughter of Cinderella and Prince Charming (one) to Prince Marvellous, the son of Snow White and Prince Charming (two). Trying her very best to prevent the marriage was the evil Queen Evelyn. The various characters from many of the well known Pantos played their full parts in the show.

Director Carly Thompson skilfully gave all the characters very individual personalities which hugely enriched the basic plot. We were treated to a bitchy rivalry between Cinders and Snow White with catty dialogue spiced with insults aplenty. Cinderella's Prince Charming was derided as "Shoe Boy", just one among many insults in this vibrant and frequently hilarious script by Paul Barron and Sarah Dyson (under "Lazy Bee" Scripts). The "mwah-mwah", kissy-kissy business, but fully two feet apart, between Cinderella and Snow White beautifully set their characters, right from the start.

Both Jane Maisey (Cinderella) and Amanda Stronge (Snow White) gave polished and charismatic performances, milking every last drop of vitriol and dark comedy from their characters.

Alex Campbell as Cinderella's Prince Charming and Clive MacTavish as Snow White's Prince Charming both gave well pitched foppish performances, but without their wives' rivalry. Both these gentlemen oozed class. Clive also played the Wolf.

Peter Calver was the Dame character - Gertie - and was a veritable Titan;  his poise, timing and rapport with the audience not bettered in any other amateur panto I have seen.  He was of professional standard and a good one at that!

Steve Bedford and Chris Bassett as Nick and Nack, the two idiots, relished their roles. Their "nervous noticing" that there was actually an audience out there, told me immediately that they were going to be top notch - and they were - though Tim Vine might sue them for pinching his jokes, while sitting on a log and trying to cheer up Princess Lottie. They certainly made me laugh, along with a highly amused audience.

Laura Brand was a dashing and thigh slapping Prince Marvellous, aptly named too, making the perfect foil to teenager Fern Simmons as Princess Lottie, who showed a stage maturity well beyond her own tender years. I have certainly noted her name for future reference!

In the magical hands of David Morgan (who could read the telephone directory and make it fascinating) the peach of a role of the March Hare was sure to catch the eye.   David's tea table cavorting with  Jane Kortlandt as the Mad Hatter, who was also terrific, was drollery at its best.

The important role of Jack was very capably handled throughout by Jonathan Tull and in a wonderful cameo Ziggi Szafranski as Captain Hook added true evil presence, overseeing walking the plank, though he was not above exiting the auditorium in racking tears when scolded by the evil witch Evelyn right at the start, in a special beginning to the show.  

And so to the ghastly and evil witch Evelyn. In the splendidly talented and charismatic hands of Sophie MacTavish, the dark side of Panto could not be bettered. She held the audience in the palms of her hands, with special timing and delivery of her words.

Young and pretty Izzy Boorman shone as Alice and Shannen Knutsen did likewise as Little Red Riding Hood. I would like to see Shannen in a meatier role than this and note that she is to be Chava (Fiddler) in April which I await with keen expectation.

The young chorus (Cinders team in this performance) were realistic dwarves and did the show proud. The older - but still young - chorus were top notch in stunning costumes bringing vibrancy and precision to the skilful routines set by choreographer Kerry Brackpool.

This was a top rate show but I will, with some difficulty of choice, highlight some of the more memorable scenes. Those who are not highlighted can still be highly satisfied with their sterling efforts in this performance. These are:   the Cinderella / Snow White mwah-mwah  greeting  and catty dialogue;  the two Prince Charmings' drinking scene;  Nick and Nack's jokes upon the log;  ballroom scene with Snow White and Cinders plus the two Charmings and gorgeous frocks on the girl dancers;  Gertie's song "Impossible Dream" and business with Jack;  tea party with March Hare, Mad Hatter, Gertie, Jack and Prince Marvellous into Alice's entrance and slosh scene; Evelyn's song "Don't Stop Me Now";  company in aisles of auditorium with young pirates in black;  Hook and Pirates capture of  Gertie, Jack and Marvellous including plank business;  underwater scene with mermaid (exceptional);  Songsheet "This Old Man" (Gertie and Jack); Finale dance and walkdown to "I'm a Believer";  and finally, all scenes involving Evelyn!

Much of the music under the sure footed Musical Director Jamie Cordell and his band, was outstanding. I would highlight "What is this Feeling", "The Impossible Dream", "Don't Stop Me Now", "It's not Unusual" and finally "I'm A believer".

The costumes were little short of fabulous;  colourful, well fitted with well chosen fabrics. The Oxted Players can boast the painstaking Elizabeth Callow with three other dedicated assistants in Sally Dallosso, Marion Deeble and Monica Mickels on board. Stephanie Hornett Johnson was once again on hair, wigs and make up and all was again excellently done.

John Chinnock was on Sound design / operator and Ben Morrison on Lighting likewise. Set was designed by Martin Beatty and beautifully put together by a large in-house team.

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

Finally, the Director Carly Thompson, whose character setting, use of stage, pace and ease of watching made for a really top rate show which was, frankly by a distance, the very best amateur Panto I have seen in ages. Well done T.O.P.s!

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