Pinocchio

This was a fun-filled family panto, with all the essential ingredients. The obvious enthusiasm and confidence of the cast was evident from the start, with the principals and children capturing and retaining the audience's attention throughout the performance.

The opening scene performed by the large children’s ensemble set a nice standard for a community pantomime. They also opened the second half well proving their worth to Donna Hislop and Hannah Jeffrey their choreographer. The childrens ages varied but I was most impressed with the way they kept in time with the music and their choreography was excellent.

Amongst the talented principals, there were some excellent characterisations of our panto heroes and villains. Jane Edmond as the Blue Fairy, kept the whole story together and kept the audience up to date with what was happening. I liked her Fairy lighted dress. In a larger-than-life performance, Les Murray as pantomime dame (Mama Macaroni) wowed us with a number of different and eccentric frocks and great exaggerated mannerisms. “She” was ably complimented by Ruby Taylor, who played her son Lampwick. Lewis MacKenzie was suitably chilling and unpleasant as Fox, with his bungling assistant Cat, well-played here by Maya Crossan-Brown. Their antics and comical facial expressions kept the audience well entertained! Ramsay Green gave a very confident performance as our hero Pinocchio, with good stage presence and clear diction. His walk, stance and general movements maintained the impression of a wooden toy and his nose was cleverly executed when it had to grow.  A very clever plan very difficult to actually perform live on stage.

Of course Pinocchio had to be made by the clever wood carver who longed for a son, so made a doll as the next best thing. This demanding role, Gepetto, was very well performed by Simon Robinson, who maintained his Italian personality throughout. He not only looked the part, he retained his accent exceedingly well and sang with good musicality. Finn McVittie as Cricket and Seth Brown as Stromboli were both well portrayed in their very different parts and the rest of the principals were all convincing in their various roles, each one important to building a watchable production.

The set was incredibly clever and versatile and had obviously had many hours of work put into not only the building but also the design of such a workable stage area. The lighting was spot on and the make-up department did a great job. A huge amount of time must have gone into the making of the costumes all made by the Company as they all looked right and Mama Macaroni’s quick changes were excellent.

 Well done Directors, Judith Johnson and John Innes for a brilliant and very entertaining show. Your Direction was super.

A most enjoyable and entertaining evening. Thank You Langholm.

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