Rapunzel

This appealing Friedrich Schultz fairytale that is only rarely staged nowadays, is a rather difficult story to tell on a small stage as Rapunzel's tower is a major part of the story. Both the height of the tall tower and enormous length of Rapunzel's hair are key elements in this enchanting tale and both were well provided, with imaginative thought by stage director Wendy Davies.

This excellent script gave ample opportunity for a strong cast to display their acting skills. Though no-one had an outstanding singing voice, all had good timing and many had marvellous timing. Natalie Davies in the title role of  Rapunzel gave a splendid performance; she had charisma, good diction and emoted beautifully. Truly an impressive lead! Her "grandmother", the witch Gothel, was played supremely well by the elegant Julia Heathcote and her ultimate demise by her own tears had distinct pathos. Julia used her facial expressions to great effect aided by judiciously applied applied ruby lipstick.                   

Louisa Worby in the principal boy role of Prince Frederick grew from a mentally immature boy into finding his role in life and becoming a worthwhile and dashing prince and - this being panto - a dashing husband for Rapunzel. A skilful portrayal Louisa!

Charlie McLean was a fine Dame Trixie Bouffant, running a hair dressing salon, complete with cream pie slosh and delicious comic timing. Her scene with her three apprentices Gracie (Sharon Welland), Lacie (Lucy Payne) and Macie (Lottie Welland), all in coloured wigs was a delight. I was so pleased to see a slosh scene, as it is a vitally important tradition, even though so often left out in modern pantos. In fact, this production retained all the imperative elements of real panto;  the well enacted "behind you" spider, dopy incompetent "baddie" couple, played to near perfection by Peter Bradley as "Irish" Curly and Jay Garland as Bob. Hiding behind each other can only happen in pantoland which, allied to the requisite comic chase scene, meant these two players added huge and relished comedy. We oldies were well catered for in this gem of a script.

Frankie the valet, meant a well known American pop singer to us oldies, but handsome Daniel Williams played him as the Prince's valet and a dopey though loyal, not exactly the "sharpest stool in the box, Frankie, together with Curly and Bob ran the comic songsheet number: "She's a genius with people's hair" (to the "Lumberjack" tune). Cue the required chaos and audience vocal competition. A fine scene indeed!

Others who played fine roles were King Geoffrey - Dave Biggins and his wife Queen Gertrude given huge presence by the highly experienced Marian Heathcote. How could you banish your own son though, Geoffrey!  What's that you say? It was in the script? Oh yes, silly me. Oh yes it was!

Every true panto needs a good immortal figure to defeat evil. Julia Allan Patel was a sweet and kind, if somewhat soppy, Fairy Flora, coming to Rapunzel's aid with her well made wand and her elegant movements, plus good though deliberately imperfect diction. Tony Gauvain gave a forceful cameo as Captain of the Guard and Felix Cuthbert camped realistically as Byron the court stylist.

There was a great deal to like throughout this production;  the inside tower set with books aplenty for Rapunzel to constantly read was effective;  the long golden tresses for Rapunzel and the rope ladder too;  the Morecambe and Wise song and movements; the sinister dungeon set; the lilac flash used early on gave a good start; the witch's freeze spell; the audience involvement and with shouting "Rapunzel" to beak the spell and the colourful costumes, including a wonderful lace wedding dress for Rapunzel

Nick Graham and Ian Kay handled lighting and sound in assured style and overall the production had good pace and continuity. Stage manager Chris Dews assisted by Meg Bray did their work efficiently.

In an ideal world the cast would have included some young children and a little more cast dancing in general. But to me these are mere nitpicks and the show had most of the essentials of true British pantomime. Not least among these were some well known and well played tunes by Musical Director Simon Fraser and his two piece band.

Overall the production was well up to the standard I have now come to expect from my regular visits to this atmospheric hall and well run company,                                                                                                             

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