Puss in Boots

This Italian fairy story is often linked with Dick Whittington but the actual story is about an amorphic cat who using his trickery and cunning makes people believe his master is wealthy and of noble birth and it was nice to see the original story portrayed in this Panto.

This production like several others has been hit by Covid and absences due to various reasons had meant several cast changes at the last minute, but in true showbiz tradition “the show must go on” and indeed it did.

Before we arrive in Much Rabbiting on the Bure we meet Fairy Priscilla (Sarah Arnold). This bubbly, pink haired Lady was a last minute stand in, but you would not have noticed, as she confidently delivered her couplets. Her evil sister Pernicia, who had not finished her fairy training (Julie Barker), took on the nasty Ogres henchman role and gave us a strong performance as she taunted the audience into booing her.

In the village, strutting onto the stage, comes Royal Courtier Bobbie (Scott Meacock) ,a covid replacement,  doing a very good job and introducing us to the Miller family. Jasper (Tom Corfield) and Jethro (Robin Baines), these two are waiting to read their late fathers will and as “the brokers men” this was a very successful pairing as they blundered through their mostly self-inflicted misadventures. Their very patient girlfriends Babs (Marcia Patterson) and Betty (Ann Riley) were both good characters and well played.

 Into the story now enters the Hero, Jack Miller (Marion Jackson), to give an assured performance whilst collecting the bequest of his fathers will, a cat, Mime Puss (Kira Harber). This young lady was word purfect and showed us a cat who was not to be messed with whilst maintaining good cat like movements. Just to add to Jacks issues, who should appear in his life but the lovely Princess Esmerelda (Michelle Lake), and lovely she was with a strong singing voice and a confident acting performance. Her parents Queen Wendy (Jane Bowden – another last minute stand in) and King Wally the Once (Larry Pendleton) drifted into the action and she nearly let him speak even after being asked questions.

In a castle not too far away we find Grimgrab the Ogre (David Ivins) who despite having had several beauty treatments to make him more attractive to Princess Esmerelda still looks scary and he is always in a bad mood. The nasty is always a fun part to play and David looks as though he is enjoying every minute.  

Jack buys Mime Puss a pair of “Magic Boots” and this immediately tranforms him into Puss in Boots (Gemma Farrell) and in a quiet moment gives us a delightful rendition of “Somewhere over the rainbow”, this combined with strong delivery gave a very convincing character.  

Meanwhile, If you go down to Much Rabbiting in the Dale woods, what ever you do do not disrespect rabbits. If you do you could meet Mr Fluffy (Mathew Grapes), Mr Wigglenose (Derek Ayley) and Mr Cottontail (Judi Ingram) these large, hells angel, punk type rabbits protect the reputation of all rabbits while giving the audience a good laugh at the same time.

This panto was packed with songs and the principals, chorus and the young chorus sang well in all of them. It is so nice to see the young chorus doing their dance routines and looking as though they were having a great time.

The Director (Paul Corfield – who had to play the lion) must have been delighted with the show and to see a virtually full Village Hall clapping and cheering along with the company.

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