Puss in Boots

This script, written by the director and club Chairman Kerwin Robertson, was full of traditional corny panto jokes and one liners – many in the local Aberdeen dialect – which had the full house audience chortling and laughing along from the start as we joined Jack and his magically talking cat on their journey from the rural village of Fitaboot in the kingdom of Efferfechin to the sparkling palace for the Royal Wedding finale. Kirsty Delaney as Jack was every inch the Principal Boy with good stage presence and a strong singing voice and was equally matched by Stephanie Wild as his love interest Princess Petunia. Hilary Esson as Queen Bendy Wendy was hilarious with excellent comic delivery and expressions and her amorous rendition of “Hungry Eyes” in Act 2 with her hen-pecked husband King Charlie, delightfully underplayed by Alex Busch, had the audience in stitches. Another great comic pairing were Paula Milne and Carla Barber as silly brothers Hither and Thither who were “good at getting things wrong”. Teenager Elliot Bell was outstanding as the title character Puss in Boots tackling this major role with great confidence displaying strong acting, singing and dancing skills as demonstrated in his rendition of Robbie William’s “Let Me Entertain You” with the ensemble in Act 1. Colin Jones and Stuart McMain as the money grabbing Count Grumblegrab and his side-kick Fairy Pernicious revelled in their evilness and the boos and hisses received at their every entrance and exit. However they were no match in the end for the magic of Ashley Mildon’s good Fairy Annie who ensured that Jack and the Princess lived happily everafter when she revealed he was the true Marquis of Peterculter! Strong support was given by Andrew Brebner as Royal Page Boabbie and Katie Simpson and Erin Urquhart as Bonnie and Bunty the love interests of Hither and Thither. Mention too must be made of Isa Busch as a cute Mime Puss. The chorus of youngsters sang and moved well and the evening was brought to a close with a rousing rendition of their traditional finale “Merry Christmas Everyone”. The five piece band under Dan Morrison played well and were a great support to the singers. The set was simple and colourful as befits a panto, as were the costumes made by Mary Sommerville and her team. Well done everyone at Culter Theatre Club for another great, community pantomime.

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