Peter Panto

Bethel Crowd’s pantomime this year is Peter Panto - entering the theatre we are met with the bedroom of the Darling children with raised walk way at the back and two sets of stairs either side Stage Left and Right. The raise has on it blocks of different heights Stage Left. Down Stage Right was a white bed, rocking chair with throw and blocks piled up with the word ‘toys.’ Setting the scene. Across Stage Left was a large window that opened with stairs leading up to it and a toy box with teddies on it. In the audience leading off to the Right was a wigwam painted on the door. Steps either side of the stage leading down into the audience. The set was then transformed into various scenes where the cast and crew carried on barrels, large shell, chaise longue, slide and ship’s wheel. Flown in to overhang the stage were material strips to give the effect of greenery and also string netting for the ship scene. A camouflage net was also partially drawn across the back from Stage Left. Stage Crew Graham Talbot, Anthony Talbot, Marc Coburn, Bob Sessions and Paul Monks.

Choreography was good and one audience member even joined in the hornpipe. Good use of stage and there was a variation in age with all having a go. Special mention to Elijah Goddard and Nancy Paxford. Choreography by Helena Carter and Mairead Coburn. Costumes all looked good and a mention about the make-up of the shadow Caitlan Owen. Costumes Helena Carter. Sound and Lighting all worked to help the show but I have to mention mics left on backstage which was distracting from what was going on stage and unfortunately this was throughout the show. Lighting and Sound by John Lyon and Peter Gower.

Hazel Bumby directs and must have had fun with this show. It was good to see a mixed bunch of ages all working together, mixing youth with experienced actors. The stage and set were utilised well with quick scene changes, using different entrances too coming through the audience and down the sides for variation. Using You’re a Pirate to the When You’re an Addams worked well too.

With nearly thirty cast I cannot appraise everyone but the children’s chorus were a delight. The Lost Boys looked good and each had their own character - loved the hairstyling which really worked. Tootles who appeared to be the leader was a delight - played by Clark Mitchell. Nancy Paxford played the cutest Nana I ever seen. A confident Josephine Holmes played Marina Mermaid and Lydia Thompson looked the part as Tiger Lily.

Mr Darling was played by Graham Talbot who was also was front of house showing people to their seats in his morning suit looking the part. His wife Mrs Darling was played by Janette Hampson and both had forgotten how to have fun - much to the annoyance of their children.

A very sassy and naughty Tinkerbell was played by Ella Ford who got mixed up with the Hook, played by Jason Taylor whom the audience loved to boo. Carolyn Woodley played Mr Crocodile. I loved her green outfit but did wonder if some make up would have helped the look and her entrances were confusing with spectacles on then off. Caitlin Owen played Shadow and Chief and Thomas Coburn played Starkey.  Adding the comedy and a little confusion was Smee played by Zoey Tattersal not really wanting to help Hook and being even more confused by his mother Mrs Hook played by Elaine Sessions.

Helena Carter gave us a tap-dancing Peter Pan, the boy who didn’t want to grow up landing in the bedroom of the Darlings. Verity Coburn played John complete with black top hat and brolly while Lily Calland played Michael also complete with teddy bear. Their sister Wendy was played by Mairead Coburn who gave us a fabulous Wendy, with great maturity as an actress navigating the story and playing the feminist well, interacting with all the other characters and having to play mother.  Lovely voice, Well done.

Thank you for the invite and hospitality Bethel Crowd from my guest Angela and I.

 

Liz Hume-Dawson

District Rep 5

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