Puss in Boots

The hard-working and experienced cast in Elgin soon had the first night audience cheering and booing with gusto. With lots of well- known songs – from the cheery “Zipity-Do-Dah” opening number to the rockin’ “Merry Christmas Everybody’s Having Fun” finale – and good choreography, the evening flew by. Kerry Peace and Andrew Sutherland, as Princess Esmerelda and Jack the Miller’s stepson, were a good pairing and their duet “Just The Way You Are” was delightful. Lindsay Knight as Queen Wendy was a Grande Dame of the old school, lording it over everyone but especially over her bumbling husband King Wally played by Sandy Dow. Much of the laughter in the show was engendered by Aidan Hyndman and Tiarnan Clark as Jasper and Jethro the Miller’s sons in their hapless endeavours to kidnap the Princess for the Ogre. Ian Glover was a malevolent if colourful Grimgrab the Ogre (with green fat-suit and orange wig) and along with his assistant Fairy Pernicia, played by Lynne Ward, took every opportunity to goad the audience. Counteracting this evilness were the excellent Katy Rodway-Swanson, who had good stage presence as Puss in Boots, and Naomi Bunyan as the delightful Fairy Priscilla. Strong support was given by Colin Smith (Bobbie, the Royal Page), Lee Whitley and Donna Ettles (Babs and Bette, Jasper and Jethro’s girlfriends) and Ophelia Simms (Millie the Maid). Special mention must go to the trio of rabbits played as bovver-booted hard men by Kirsty Anderson, Janice Hyndman and Kim McIntyre – a nice twist which was greatly enjoyed by the audience. Chorus singing and movement were good. Costuming was bright and appropriate as was the set. Congratulations all at EAD

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