Peter Pan - The Swashbuckling Pantomime Adventure

Oh no its wasn’t…. oh yes it was…. my first time attending Glantawe’s annual Panto at The Welfare, Ystradgynlais. I’d always heard lovely reports about all their productions so I was eagerly anticipating another cracking performance. The set was basic but effective, lighting although a bit too dark at times gave the show a lovely ambience and definitely set the mood for the adventures to come. I’ll start with the band…very tight, well rehearsed and great balance with the cast. As an MD myself, it is always a massive bug bear when the sound is dire but Aled Hopton, aside from his talents as a writer got the music in this bang on! The delightful mixture of music lent its hand to the cast really well.

It was great to see the Director, Anthony Evans using the younger members of the company so well. Peter Pan played with utter conviction by Megan Nottingham, supported by the talents of Emyr Williams as John and Gruffudd Watkins as Michael. Heather Rees, who played Wendy has a delightful vocal and her songs were well chosen. Paige Mcneish played Tinkerbell with the softness and charismatic approach one would expect.

No Glantawe panto would be the same with the ever humorous talents of William Walters as Captain Hook, Russell Rees as Smee and Lee Bentley as Starkey. They work so well together and their rapport on stage is to be commended. I did laugh out loud quite a few times during their scenes.

There were strong performance from Catrin Rees as Tiger Lilly, Carys Shaw as Tootles, Erin Maggs as Slightly, Seren Haf Thomas as Curly & Liam Richards as Nibs. Again they provided some lovely scenes and delivered overall with confidence.

Supporting the principals were - David Treseder as Mr Darling, Heidi Marie James as Mrs Darling, Melissa Michelle as the Fairy of Eternal Youth and of course the childrens chorus who were delightful!

I’d like to congratulate Anthony Evans and his team for another successful Panto! A special mention to Aled Hopton who’s talents speak for themselves…MD, Writer, Designer, Programme Designer. Is there no end to this man’s talent? It was fabulous to see the theatre so full and by all accounts, its was full all week which is great for the company, the theatre and the community.

 

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