Puss In Boots

If there is one thing that you can guarantee with a Stourbridge Pantomime Company production, it’s spectacle and Director Steve Humpherson’s ‘Puss in Boots’ was no exception. The opening number, “Footloose” was jaw-dropingly amazing and only the first of many fantastic numbers.

From the get-go Julia Tromans ‘Rosie Rags’ and Denzy Davies “Evil Crowman’ masterfully get the cheers and boos going from the audience with their good and evil sparring, which they manage to extract throughout the production.

Jonathan Hunt’s delightful West Country dame, ‘Delia Smythe’ with a great mix of innuendo and glamour soon sets the scene in the village of Barley Bottom as we meet the various array of typical pantomime characters. There’s Hattie Rudge’s ‘Dotty’ expertly played by name and nature, a local who’s in love  with Sammy, Delia’s daft son, played with 110% silliness by Ricky Hammond who immediately is taken to the audience’s hearts. We have King Arthur, played with suitable doddery-ness by Peter Goldsmith, aided and bailed out by his right-hand woman, Edna, played to great effect by Emily Jeavons, who seemed to be having a whale of a time in her role. Back by popular from last year was ‘Stewie’ the horse, expertly bought to life by Caz Brasenell and Vicki Simpson, cleverly elbowed (or should that be fetlocked?) into the story while we wait for Daisy the Cow’s costume!, which also gave Chairman Jon Simpson the opportunity for his cameo appearance as the Delivery Man! But you can’t have a panto without the Brokers Men, the put upon duo who can do nothing right, except in the eyes of the audience. Thom O’Brien’s ‘Crusty’ and Reuben Southall’s ‘Dusty’ fitted the bill superbly and also gave us a great rendition of the Robbie Williams and Johnny Wilkes classic arrangement of “Me and My Shadow”.

As in all pantomimes, the main love interest is provided by the beautiful partnership of Principal Boy ‘John Miller’ played with a great twinkle in her eye by Sarah Coussens and Principal Girl ‘Princess Jasmine’ (King Arthur’s daughter’ played blissfully by Bella Cook.  This was a tremendous pairing from two talented performers who shone throughout displaying their talent both as a duo as well as individually. Bella’s take on Pink’s “Never Gonna Not Dance Again” and Sarah’s variation of Lady Gaga’s “The Edge of Glory” superbly complemented by MD George Stuart and the great band, were a complete joy. Although to borrow a quote – “There were three of us in this….” with the addition of a tremendous characterisation of the feisty yet lovable ‘Puss in Boots’ of the title – played with great panache by Pippa Brasenell making sure that John and Jasmine would be together.

A talented and enthusiastic assembly of dancers and ensemble players completed the line up adding in great measure to the spectacular numbers, with amazing choreography by Amy Roberts giving us that real feel good factor and also gave us the opportunity to see one of the hardest working ensemble members that it has been my pleasure to see – Josh Kendall lit up the stage at every moment with one of the broadest beams on his face and his boundless energy and even his slightly large tricorn hat couldn’t put him off! A real star of the future!

Spectacle is not only achieved by the cast but also technically – great lighting and sound effects really added to the production and special mention goes to Matt Bird, The Lighting Factory and Theatre SSL not forgetting the amazing work of the Stage Manager Margaret Taylor and the Props, Stage and Flying Crews with special mention for the Hot Air Balloon Basket (bet that was heavy!) and some very slick scene changes including a new take on the traditional Panto Ghost Scene with an extremely effective UV scene.

Many thanks to everyone at Stourbridge Pantomime Company for their warm welcome and hospitality, it was great to meet you all and look forward to “Sleeping Beauty” in 2025.

 

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.