Panto at the OK Corral

A panto set in the Wild West? Well, why not? As The Bunbury Players proved beyond all doubt, cowboys and Indians can be just as much fun as Cinderella and Buttons.

'Panto at the OK Corral' by Jim Sperrinck is a “Wild West”variation on the traditional formula, but with all the usual interaction and corny jokes.

The plot revolves around Clint Westwood, who arrives in Deadwood Gulch, searching for the evil Sheriff Small Holding, just in time to catch the ruthless lawman trying to throw poor Winnie Pegg and her family off their ranch. All kinds of mayhem ensue, before the sheriff is finally called to account for his wicked ways.

The staging was colourful with some great backcloths.  Lighting was good although I admit I am not a fan of the current tradition of blinding the audience with spinning spotlights.  Sound effects were a bit loud but worked well within the show and were all on cue.  Costumes by Mandy Morrish and Hazel Thompson were well chosen and colourful.

As the Dame Winnie Pegg, Colin Musgrove appeared slightly hesitant initially, however he quickly settled down and did a pretty fair job of it. Harrison Southgate, as her son James the Jessie, struck up an instant rapport with the audience, and brought cheery enthusiasm to every scene. 

In the principle boy role of Clint Westwood Carrie Parsons was splendid and came across with confidence. Billie Dawson as Calamity Jane worked well with Clint and, although she had a tendency to look down, did very well with the added bonus of a nice voice 

Darren Hitchings is the “go to” chap if you need a baddie and his Sheriff Small Holding was true to form, soon having the audience booing nicely. His henchmen Butch Casserole and the Sun-Tanned Kid (Jo-Ann Ward and Josh Sulman) worked together well, whether disguised as extremely dubious young ladies, or simply thwarting each others' attempts to appear mean and menacing.   

Adding strength to the mix Mandy Morrish made a great Diamond Lil and Randy Borden an exceptional Buffalo Bill

There were several nice cameo performance, too, from a deadpan and humourless Jake Collins as Big Chief Running Bear, Chloe Gilbert and Jordan Tarantella as Buttons and Bows and Debbie Owen as Goldie Nuggetts and her Gang (Macie Rathbone, Alisha Scarrow, Katie Beckett and Ruby Baird) all added to the Western style and colour. 

And let's not forget Jack Learoyd and Karen Humphreys as Lightning, one of the most expressive pantomime horses I've seen in a long time!

No one person was responsible for the choreography which was attributed to a team consisting of Edward Bye, Kimberley Pearson, Mandy Morrish and Chloe Gilbert.

Special credit must go to Musical Director Mark A J Checkley for the execution of the musical numbers.  Vocally I think this is the best Bunbury Chorus yet. 

The Bunbury Players is lucky to have a good mix of ages in their chorus with a junior contingent coming through nicely, and Director Darren Mather gives them all the opportunity to show what they can do.  

Thank you very much Bunburys for a very enjoyable evening at the OK Corral.

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