Alice’s Adventures in Pantoland

The show started with the appearance of a flustered White Rabbit, through a side door to the Hall, proclaiming he was late, he then rushed onto the stage as the curtains opened to reveal an array of Pantomime characters in very colourful costumes, who immediately burst into the opening number.  It was a lovely start to what was to prove an enjoyable evening. 

It had two well painted back drops, one of Pantoland and one of the Throne Room of the Queen of Hearts, the perspective was excellent but particularly in the Throne Room, I was expecting someone to rush up the staircase at any moment.  There were other pieces of scenery and furniture brought on as required, including an enormous mushroom, complete with accompanying bubbles, for Absolem the Caterpillar.  The props had been well sourced or made and were in keeping with the script.  The set changes were done efficiently, although I do have one comment to make that I feel would improve continuity.  The stage curtains were drawn while set changes were happening and I believe several of them were to cover the black tabs being drawn and mobile pieces of scenery or furniture being brought on.  If that was the case the stage lights could have been dimmed and the scene change carried out in front of the audience.  Some were much more complex changes and needed to be masked by the curtains, but it is worth looking at in the future, as it would also mean one less ‘curtain’ cue, and audiences these days are used to seeing set changes on the professional stage.  Just a thought.

This variation on the story of Alice where in searching for the White Rabbit, she finds herself in Pantoland, had a well written script, with lots of lines for both adults and children to enjoy; with lots of child friendly, local jokes and the opportunity for audience response; with lines which gave a clear indication to the audience how to respond.  The songs had been well chosen and well taught and although not primarily a ‘singing’ society all the songs had been performed to the talents of the cast.  The choreography suited the production and performers, with the audience particularly enjoying the ‘penguin’ dance.

The off-stage support was excellent with well sourced special sound effects, including the voices of the Ogres, which were all cued to perfection, interesting lighting, and array of fabulous costumes, all so bright, colourful, well fitting and just right for each character; with the specialised makeup and wigs for the characters who required it added an extra visual dimension.  The cast had a mixture of ‘old hands’, new faces, and stars of the future on stage for the first time.  Every member of the cast had a named role and rose to the challenge of creating an individual character, with everyone working well together.  The role of Alice was confidently played, she looked like an Alice and had sense and worked well with Wilberforce, The White Rabbit.  This experienced actor brought the role of White Rabbit to life, a lovely portrayal of the character.  Fairy Godmother, Harmony, was a lovely character, who could not fly because she had not renewed her pilot’s licence, and has limited magical powers until she has her new wand.  She gave a heartfelt rendition of ‘Nobody Loves a Fairy When She’s Forty’, the audience loved her.  Her sister Hangrietta, The Queen of Hearts, was a real pantomime baddy, and everyone enjoyed booing her and were glad when she got her comeuppance at the end.  The Hatter, March Hare and Dormouse were an excellent trio every inch what you expected the characters to be.  Card number 2 and Card number 3, the Palace Guards worked well together and brought a lot of humour to the show.  Robin Hood and Peter Pan, were an unlikely heroic duo, but as ‘Men in Tights’ combined to do their best.  Little Red Riding Hood managed to keep her distance from the Wolf.  Snow White was well played and delivered her lines well.  She had a good rapport with The Knave of Hearts and they had a lovely duet.  The audience was in two minds about how truthful the Knave of Hearts was, the evidence for him being the tart thief was strong as he had jam on his face, and he said that a knave was someone who did not tell the truth but he protested his innocence and appeared to be telling the truth.  He played the role well.  Tinkerbell was not your average fairy, she got her spells mixed up and she explained that she was always looking for pots and pans to mend because that is what Tinkers did.  The Wolf was a devious character trying to persuade everyone he was vegetarian, while awaiting his chance to pounce, lovely.  The Palace Cook, was not quite what she seemed and it was she who sorted out the Queen of Hearts, a nice character, well portrayed.   The pied piper was a lovely cameo role, he freed the palace of the rats, once he played the correct tune.  He had a lovely costume with all the little rats attached and ‘followed’ him through the audience.  Absolem the Caterpillar, rested comfortably on his mushroom, and helped Alice solve the mystery of the missing tarts.  Poor Jack, spent the show trying to sell his cow, which he did exchange for the magic beans but that was a story for another day.  He handled the invisible cow really well, with help from invisible stage hands.  The last characters made a surprise appearance, they looked lovely and then ran off.

Author and Director Alison Bagnall, had written and directed a very good Pantomime, which was great deal of fun.  Although it was not a totally retelling of the story of Alice, it was easy to follow, had lots of interesting ideas, with references to the original, was very colourful, kept the interest of the audience.  It was my first Panto of the season and I enjoyed it, along with the rest of the audience.  Congratulations everyone.      

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