Rapunzel

The pantomime tale delighted its audience from start to finish. The opening with a beautiful solo from Rapunzel in her tower set the tone. The audience had to pay attention to the dialogue to follow events, from the appropriation of the Rapunzel as a baby by Mother Gothel through to Rapunzel escaping only to be caught, before finally being rescued by the Prince, to the King being restored to power and to Mother Gothel being defeated. For some leads, this was a first in principal roles but they came across as natural and experienced. The panto characters were well cast and all had lovely true voices. As the good Fairy  L’Oreal, Erin Broadley  impressed with clear diction; Ben Whigham showed command as Jasper; Cameron Robertson kept his cool as the five personae that made up King Jack; and Cayla Rushford enjoyed her role as Troll. As to the major roles, Ellie Marshall with the long, long hair she carted around, played the wronged Rapunzel with grace and conviction and her rescuer Caitlin Whyte as Prince Flynn was doughty and persistent, doing well in the sword scene. Hannah Kritzinger as Jenny Jangles in wonderful costume made her mark engagingly.  Impressing with their assurance, mannerisms and facial expressions were Emma Byrne as the scheming red haired Mother Gothel a role she made her own, and Kieran West who as pantomime dame Queen Rosita took on the mantel of female so convincingly, and delivered the comedy of the show with ease.  Audience participation was handled with nicely worked banter. The chorus worked well and naturally, songs were modern and apt, sound was clear choreography was clever and scenes changed smoothly. Production team and cast delivered wonderful entertainment. It was good to see Nan McDonald’s 60 years with amateur theatre recognised by her company at the end.

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