Pirates

Panto is all about fun and there was fun in abundance in this production. This was a well scripted panto full of amusing one-liners and the occasional risque inuendo which added to the humour. The newly married Cinderella is captured and taken to be married to Captain Bluebeard while her Prince Charming is thrown overboard. The search is then on the find and rescue them both.

The story involves many well known fairytale characters and reference is made to their own fairytale plot so that children can easily identify who is who.

This was a well cast production involving more experienced players working alongside some new younger members. Cinderella (Caty Kerr) and Prince Charming (Calum Bowden) are very natural together as were Red Riding Hood (Holly Whitehead) and Wolfie (Cameron Aitchison) who had a great rapport and were vocally well matched in their duet. There is always a ‘baddie’ in panto and Captain Bluebeard (David Hodgson) tall, commanding and scary received all the obligatory boos and hisses he deserved. His deep, rich singing voice was also well received. Bluebeard’s side kick Pirate Pat was well played by Sarah Murphy who lifted the pace when she was on stage. Zoe Winwick is a young talented girl playing the sweet Goldilocks who turns out to be a bit of a trickster. The Wicked Queen (Michelle Page) looked most austere in her black costume and was well supported by Number One (Yiorgas Perris) who, although he didn’t have a huge part is a natural performer who makes his mark.

I was most impressed by the 3 rats Snuffle (Vicky Lane), Squeaker (Rachel Squires) and Sniffle (Emily Sqires) who along with the Cat (Oliver Teece) made a fine quartet and look like being the up and coming stars of the future. Once again Keith Bowden as the pantomime Dame Widow Twankey was flamboyant both in character and costume getting the audience involved whenever possible bringing out every ounce of humour. His ‘This Is Me’ sung with the backing group of cat and rats was very well put across.

The chorus of pirates were in great form with their ‘aaaring’ and really looked the part. They sang out very well and were very much together in the neat choreography.

The ingredients for a good panto were evident throughout with slap stick, humour, fun, spontaneity, audience participation and a sing a long. There was the occasional straying from the script and add libbing but all the characters bounced off each other and helped out when there was any hesitation and for me this adds to the fun in a panto.

The scenery was very effective, especially the pirate ship and the change from one scene to the next and bringing props on and off was well co-ordinated by the cast members. Costumes were excellent, colourful and added to the splendour of the performance.

Forth Dimension’s panto is always so relaxed and happy and gets me into the spirit of Christmas. This was a most enjoyable and entertaining production.

 

 

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