Panto Mayhem

The St Neot’s Players embarked on a delightful journey with this year’s ‘Panto Mayhem,’ under the creative direction and script of Amy Jo Emery. The troupe hit the road, performing in various village halls around St Neot’s, due to the refurbishment of their main venue. The plot is a whimsical romp through Panto Land, where every fairy tale character has had their crucial prop stolen by the nefarious ‘Mother Sourdough.’ Without their props, the characters are left dazed and confused. Enter Red (Riding Hood), Hansel and Gretel, Buttons, Dame Dolly, and Wolfy (a reformed villain), who set out on a quest to retrieve the stolen items. This adventure is packed with a dozen or so big and very well executed dance numbers, living up to its title of ‘Mayhem.’

Given the touring nature of the show, the set and lighting design was commendably simple but effective, featuring tree flats and a large storybook with bright, colourful cartoon scenes. The storybook was used to signify the passage of time, adding a charming touch to the production. However, its usage in Act 1 was sparse, causing a bit of initial confusion, but this was remedied in the more dynamic use in Act 2.

The main cast, including Jessica Steele (Red Riding Hood), Maggie Hazeldine (Prince), Gracie Flattley (Buttons), Charlie Emery (Gretel), Ivo Freitas (Hansel), and Edmund Cave (Wolfy), delivered strong performances, navigating the chaos with great skill. Gracie Flattley’s portrayal of the dim-witted Buttons was particularly delightful.

A standout in any pantomime is the Dame, and George Kelly’s Dame Dolly was nothing short of spectacular. Channeling a ‘Mrs Doubtfire-esque’ charm, Kelly engaged the audience with every joke and established a wonderful rapport, further enhanced by the intimate setting of the village halls. Every one-liner landed and there were plenty of them! Loved it. Bravo Sir!

Mother Sourdough (Christine Suggers), Fairy G (Danielle Williams), the King (Ted Ridgeway Watt), and the Queen (Jenny Watt) all gave commendable performances, though at times their dialogue needed better diction. Nevertheless, this did not significantly detract from the overall experience.

The dance numbers were a high point of the show (figuratively and literally!), showcasing the talents of the cast, many of whom are from the Bee’s Dance Academy. The choreography was expertly executed, fitting the village hall setting perfectly, even incorporating acrobatic and cheerleading elements without feeling overcrowded. The human pyramid at the end of Act 1 was particularly impressive.

Adding to the enjoyment was the snowball fight with the audience, replacing the traditional singalong. This interactive element was a stroke of genius, embodying the ‘mayhem’ theme and providing great fun for all involved.

‘Panto Mayhem’ by the St Neot’s Players was a refreshing and inventive take on pantomime. Amy Jo Emery’s vision brought a vibrant and colourful array of fairy tales to life, offering St Neot’s and its surrounding villages a truly entertaining treat. Kudos to everyone involved in this delightful production.

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