Rapunzel

With 11 principals and a chorus of 65 schoolchildren this must have been the largest cast of any pantomime I have seen. The relatively small stage seemed overcrowded when everyone was onstage for the company numbers and so movement was limited but it was good to see the youngsters taking part and enjoying the experience. Prince Fredrick was well played by Lucy Dixon as a laidback, shades wearing cool dude with lots of attitude – a nice twist on the Principal Boy role. Claire Daniels as Rapunzel had good stage presence and a beautiful strong singing voice. Paco Morera as Dame Beatrix Bouffant (call me “Trixie”) was a truly larger-than-life character whose problems with her wigs, despite being the owner of the local hairdressing salon, had the audience in stitches. Gothel the Evil Witch who had kidnapped the baby Rapunzel and kept her held in a tower for 18 years, was played by Roslyn Oliver Jones and was aided by her two gormless assistants Curly and Bob, played by Cieran Macleod and Lisa Stewart respectively. The antics of this pair of daft laddies had the audience hooting with laughter. Trying to counteract Gothel’s evil ways was Dawn Gregory as the only recently qualified Fairy Flora – delivering perfectly her lines in rhyme. Strong support was given by Martin MacKenzie (Frankie the Prince’s Valet), John Gunn (King Geoffrey), Jane Milne (Queen Gertrude) and Tracy Chatten (Captain of the Guard and the Dame’s love interest). Music was in the main modern, played solely by Sharon Macleod on the piano. Principal costumes were bright and appropriate to the characters as was the set. Well done everyone – your hard work was certainly appreciated by the full-house audience!