Once Upon a Time in Pantoland

The New Garrett Theatre takes on Alex Jackson’s 'Once Upon a Time in Pantoland' with fairytale characters all living together in Pantoland. Prince Charming is now a man of mature years and his love Cinderella has passed on leaving only him and their son Prince Harry.

The large backcloth depicting a village square is on the back wall. And various sellers’ trucks are around the stage, one serving coffee and teas another flowers and another bric a brac of sorts. An impressive fountain is upstage centre with lights flowing down to give the effect of water. Various props are then used like a giant side of a post office van, a magic mirror, gates with skeletons attached. Set - Ryan Gerrard, Set team - Bex Bagot, Jamie Barnett, Paul Brighouse, Jenny Dickinson, Laura Gaskell, Ryan Gerrard, Lisa Harrison, Danny Haymes, Cameron Lyth, Megan Lyth, Catherine Taylor, Helen Taylor and Ross Watson. Lighting and Sound all added to the show Tech team Karl Gerrard, Louise Proctor and Peter Gower.  Costumes by Bex Bagot, Loraine Darcy, Helene Lyth, Lousie Taaffe, Laura Shuttleworth and Megan Smith.

Choreography was by Amy Gaskell, Adele Hurst, Jessica Lynch and Ruth Welch.  Musical Director was Catherine Taylor and Director was Helene Lyth with assistant Louise Taaffe. There were some well thought out sketches with the post office van scene and the parcels and the mirror scene was effective. I also thought the canned laughter was a fab idea. Great to see the backstage crew getting involved with the fun.

Not a large cast with various people taking on more than one role they have a lot of support with a huge crew and production team in the background.

Taking on the parts of fairies/ghouls and other fairytale characters were Yvonne Gerrard, Bex Bagot, Ruth Welch, Jessica Maloney, Rebecca Gerrard, Cerys Jones, Emma Swanton, Mim Jones, Immy Bagot, Theodore Lyth, Louis Gerrity and Ross Wilson. I enjoyed Magic Is Life (Spice Up Your Life)

Loraine Darcy was a villager but also took on the Fairy Godmother character from Cinderella who had aged and was now the head of fairy school - great entrance on a souped-up mobility scooter and the zimmer with added sparkle. Matthew Bell a cute Baxter and Megan Smith as sly Snitch good and evil were great and loved the nod to gladiators. Also Baxter showing kindness at the towards Snitch was a lovely moment.

Anna Green played the evil queen Mouldywart wanting misery in Pantoland and Denis Michoux was the French PC Pete who came into KRS-One Sound of Da Police. Very funny. Paul Brighouse played the mature Prince Charming and his son was Prince Harry played by Adele Hurst who had lots of energy and thigh slapping as it should be.

Jim Taylor took on the dame role Tiffany Tickle who owned the cart Tickles Tittle Tattle where she sold various things that were then used in sketches in the show,  picking out people in the audience. I did think Jim was struggling with his voice but he did not let this deter him in anyway and gave it his all.  His innuendoes and jokes adding to the show.

Emma Taaffe plays Tilly Tickle a very modern take on the principal girl role, wearing Doc Martens too. Emma inadvertently saves the day with her hope and great outlook on life - lovely voice too and loved Dear Future Husband.  Well done!

Megan Lyth was Tommy Tickle and I’m not sure if she has had this before but her comedy mannerisms reminded me of Melissa McCarthy with her signposting before doing something naughty or funny, hilarious and in character the whole time. Working well with the others and in great voice too.  Well played Megan!

Last but not least was The Spirit of Pantomime played by Amy Gaskell. I think people think it’s easy to do these parts - put on a pretty frock, a wand and bit of sparkle and speak. But not so. Amy didn’t have a wand and used her hands very rhythmically. She first is introduced to us in the audience at the side and speaks to us with good diction and animation. A very ethereal presence which was just right. Excellent!

Thank you so much for the invitation and warm hospitality from my guest Beverley and I.

Liz Hume-Dawson

District Rep 5

 

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