RAPUNZEL

This was my second visit to the Bartholomites, they had chosen a pantomime that is not often presented” Rapunzel”. The main thing about pantomime is that there are three conditions to be met 1. Interaction with the audience, no fourth wall. 2. Plenty of Boos for the Villain and Cheers for the heroes. 3. Comedy – pies in faces, “he’s behind you” “ Oh yes it is, oh no it isn’t” This pantomime ticked all these boxes from the start, and the audience were transported headlong into that world, this was a fun filled family evening’s entertainment. The Director Greg Heath had chosen his cast with care and had obviously rehearsed them well.

SET

This was a typical pantomime set, colourful and creating the right impression of the various scenes. Set Designer Roger Owen is to be congratulated. and the Stage manger Chris Young and his crew moved the scenery around for the most part smoothly and quietly, despite the one or two hiccups, which were dealt with quickly with the audiences encouragement.

MUSIC

The Music Team of Wendy Hammonds, Louse Hammonds, Roger Winter on Piano, James Heming on Drums and Sue Wright on Saxophone played at the right level allowing us to hear clearly the soloists and chorus, complimenting but never over powering them, and it was obvious that they had been well rehearsed. Well done.

SOUNDS

The sound effects with Dean Marks in charge were always on time and effective.

LIGHTING

Louise Hammonds and Rob Booth made sure the cast were always well lit, as well as creating atmospheric effects.

CHOREOGRAPHY

Choreographers Wendy Hammonds, Louise Hammonds. Linda Graves, Helen Heath and Caroline Evans created simple but effective routines which the cast worked together as a team  and handled with ease, always with smiles on their faces. It is always difficult to move a large cast around in a limited space, but this proved no problem for them.

COSTUMES

The forty-seven costumes were colourful and created the right pantomime effect. I would have like to have seen the Dame in more that the one costume in the first act though; this was remedied in the second act with glitz and sparkle. Congratulations to Clare Robinson, Louise Hammonds, Wendy Hammonds, Caroline Evans, Linda Graves and Ronny Young, you deserve the praise for all your hard work in creating the right look for each character.

THE CAST

DAME TRIXIE BOUFFANT (Will Evans)

From a Wolf to a Dame, Will Evans became this role, giving a confident performance, immediately interacting with the audience, as well as with the members of the cast,. This was a typical pantomime Dame, a strong singing voice, playing the comedy for all it was worth. Well done on a convincing performance.

FRANKIE (Louise Hammonds)

A strong performance, you looked at home on the stage with good stage presence, you created a believable character complete with your catchphrase, you interacted well with the audience you stayed in character and worked as part of  team. Good strong singing voice and movement this was a performance to be proud of, well done.

PRINCE FREDERICK (Lucy Black)

This was a typical pantomime Prince complete with the obligatory thigh slapping. A confident performance, you looked the role and interacted well when in love with Rapunzel, this was a well thought out character, well done

LACIE (Alison Heath) – MACIE (Saska Watson) – GRACIE (Oona Ordish-Lawson)

Good interaction with Prince, good strong voices and stage presence, these were confident performances, well done.

FAIRY FLORA (Ettie Williams)

Ettie was the perfect fairy, and you looked the part in your costume. This was a well thought out character, and you must be praised for your delivery of the rhyming lines that you had, good intonation. Clear voice, good stage presence and you looked at home on the stage. This was a convincing and confident performance. (one little point to remember is when an audience is laughing wait for the noise to die away before speaking as you can lose some of the dialogue)

GOTHEL (Caroline Evans)

Callie looked the part and created a convincing “baddie” You were the typical evil witch and your costume helped to create the character. Good strong voice and you took command of the stage on your entrances, there was good interaction with the audience, well done on a first class performance.

CURLY (Helen Heath) – BOB (Karen Sylvester)

These were the two village idiots and you worked well together as a comedy team. You also worked well with the audience, you looked the part in your costumes, this was a natural convincing performance, well done.

RAPUNZEL (Tilda Booth)

With your long hair and costume you looked the perfect Rapunzel, there was good interaction with The Prince, you were the typical principal girl, you made the role your own, you  looked at home on the stage and you have a clear voice, at times it was a little quiet, don’t be afraid to speak out. A well thought out performance, well done.

KING GEOFFREY (Bob Locke) – QUEEN GERTRUDE (Linda Graves)

CAPTAIN OF THE GUARD (Julian West) – HERALD (Pauline Locke)

You all looked the roles in your colourful costumes, you all looked at home on the stage, The King and Queen gave royal performances, although the King was a little hesitant, maybe because in the relationship the Queen wears the trousers!! Good strong and clear voice from the Herald, and interaction with the rest of the cast. I felt sorry for the Captain of the Guard being chased by Dame Trixie, in the end you gave in. well done to all four of you on confident performances.

COURTIERS AND VILLAGERS

It is always essential to have a strong and confident chorus who work well together as a team, and this was a first class group, always staying in character and with smiles on your faces.  You all looked the part in your various colourful costumes. Excellent dancing, at all times together and clear singing voices, you interacted well with each other and the rest of the cast. Well done you all looked at home on the stage.

SPIDER AND SKELETONS

Excellent dancing from the skeletons and especially the Spider, your costumes were well thought out, and very effective, the Spider worked well with the “Behind you routine” Well done to all of you.

I really enjoyed the pantomime as did the near capacity audience, who were with you from the beginning, it is always good to see pantomime as it should be, this was an excellent evening’s entertainment. Thank you for your kind invitation and welcome front of house and it was nice to meet some members of the cast at the end.

Tony Winstone – NODA Representative District 13

 

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