Pirates of the Panto

Littleport Players set sail with a Pirates of the Caribbean style panto this year and we joined Zac Sparrow and his family as they journeyed from Bristol to the Caribbean and the Island of Discomania in search of buried treasure.  Surviving their ship being overrun by Captain Spongebag Roundpants and his pirate crew, being thrown overboard and winning the disco dance off, Captain Zac and his friends return to Bristol richer by far. Hurrah!

I have always found at Littleport that staging is imaginative and well thought out: the panels which turn to depict different scenes are always beautifully painted and this production was no exception. The added props too are always good.  I must commend Rick Forward on the excellent sailing ship/mast and also the other properties to which much attention is always paid.  What the stage crew manage to do on that little stage is amazing particularly given that this time space was at a premium as the musicians were on stage too - suitably costumed I might add.  Costumes and make-up were, as ever, first rate.  There were one or two technical blips at the Saturday matinee but the cast overcame them.  A lot of work had obviously gone in to the UV sequence which unfortunately didn’t work at the matinee as it was still too light in the auditorium, plus with the band on stage it was backlit which diffused the UV lighting and we could see all the carefully blacked out performers.

There were several experienced members of cast and those less experienced or just starting out will have gained much from working on this production.  One of the things the show suffered from was poor delivery.  The script contained a lot of humour but much of it was lost. Timing is all with panto and comedy, plus it is a shame to put so much work into learning lines if no one can understand what you are saying because you either speak too quickly or too quietly.  In all fairness though, I should say the problem was not confined to the younger members of the cast.     

The script calls for a large number of principals plus some minor players.  Some of the principals also did quick costume changes to augment the young chorus.  There was some good ensemble  numbers and all managed the good choreography without mishap.

Leading from the front George Harrison in the role of Zac Sparrow was brilliant.  He has tremendous stage presence and, I am sure, has a bright future ahead.  His rumbustious enthusiasm was just right as was his characterisation of Zac - virtually Johnny Depp’s double.   Darren Hitchings as Dame Stella Sparrow and Claire Lees as Bobby Sparrow, Megan Bidecant as Molly Flinders and Richard Bellow as Squire Flinders all gave good support on the “goody team”.  

As the comedy duo Poop and Deck Chelsea Booth and Becky Green did a great job with a nice bit of tap dancing plus a John Travolta impersonation thrown in for good measure.  Don Walker as the pirate captain Spongebag Roundpants worked hard at being a baddie but, unfortunately, the kids loved him.  Nevertheless he and his motley crew Skull and Bones (played by Sue Caller) and Nicola Garrett as Boson Rollicks/Gorballs (although I wasn’t quite sure who’s side she was on) managed to make the others walk the plank with Skull and Bones not quite managing to miss getting wet from their splashes. 

 Mandy Morrish was excellent as the exuberant and excitable Queen Chaka Khan/High Priest of the Island of Discomania.  The smaller roles of the Harbour Master and Honest John (who almost sank into the ground so loaded down was he with watches and mobile phones) were played by Dwight Bruno and Matthew Palmer respectively; both of whom have the potential to become useful young actors with more experience and volume.  Working hard in a variety of roles as Citizens of Bristol, Pirates and Islanders were Hannah Townsend, Kira Simmonds and Lexi McGowan - well done young ladies.

The Pirate Band Chris Nunn, Alan Neale and Peter Theobald were first class and I must commend both the Band and the entire company on the excellent Abba Medley curtain call.  Abba music is very difficult but this proved to be an excellent finale. Congratulations to all.

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