Rapunzel

Lyme Regis Pantomime Society 

Rapunzel 

Written by Barry Crossley 

Produced & Directed by Sarah Causley 

Choreography: Sarah Causley & Amanda Rattenbury 

Lighting & Sound: Seventh Wave Audio 

Woodmead Halls, Lyme Regis 

Thursday 20th February 2025 

‘Tricia Barclay, NODA SW Representative District 6 

After some lively introductory show music, the scene was set by a natty knitting  narrator, as an impressive huge book centre stage opened to the King and Queen on  stage behind the gauze and the story began to unfold. 

It transpired that their baby daughter the Princess had been stolen at birth and the  action skipped forward to the anniversary of her 18th birthday, a date that was  remembered and celebrated every year. 

The action opened to a great village back drop with everyone on stage dressed in  red, white and blue with the occasional splash of green. The opening chorus number  was led by a confident Dame Betty, of Bouffant’s Hair Salon, in a pair of terrific silver  boots, accompanied by son Billy – a young enthusiastic performer with lots of  energy. 

Audience participation was encouraged from the word go particularly when Betty’s eyes landed on Dominic in a row near the front and proceeded to incorporate him  into the fun, building his part with various props throughout the evening, earning a  well-deserved round of applause at the end. 

There was an excellent routine early on with a percussion band marching across the  front of the stage, with a mix of drums and tambourines, and a short slap stick scene  with a “crispy bacon tree”. The front cloth of trees with hanging lanterns was  particularly eye-catching and the cloths were taken in and out at the speed of light – not one hitch – well done! 

Effective use was also made of the auditorium and side door for exits and entrances. The Witch’s Tower was very impressive, with a large window USC ideal for Rapunzel  to let down her hair! Of course, it was ghastly Gothel who had kidnapped the baby  Princess all those years ago, keeping her prisoner in the Tower ever since under the  pretence that she was her mother. 

There was a fun moment at the start of the scene with a puppet crow sat on the  windowsill and a single shot rang out! 

Rapunzel was sweet and naïve, with a beautifully made and exceptionally long plait, which as according to legend she let down when called to do so and which also seemed to have healing qualities. She was in awe of her “mother” but desperate to  take a peek at the world outside, and of course help came in the form of Finn the  village lad played in traditional Principal Boy style! 

Highlights of the first half included a “Razzle-dazzle” tap dance, the ladies of the  chorus’s “9 to 5” visit to the hairdresser in a variety of wigs, and the amazing effect of  rain on the gauze at the end.

There were yet more amazing effects in the second half when Finn took Rapunzel  back to the village and she finally realizes that she is the missing Princess. There was a really fantastic scene with the young couple in a boat as Finn rowed  them across a lake with the mist drifting across the stage, as if on water, and a  backdrop of the castle and moon behind. 

There was more slapstick, a ghost scene, the running joke with Dominic continued and the Narrator’s knitting just got longer and longer! 

This was an exceedingly well-crafted production which had obviously involved a lot  of hard work and planning by the whole team. The overall impression was of an  inspiring musical but still with all the elements of a traditional panto. The principals played their roles with energy and enthusiasm, and the solos and  duets were, particularly well sung. 

Snitch and Snatch made a great duo, Sylvester the Stallion added to the fun “clip clopping” on and off to the sound of his hoofbeats. Captain Tom and the Town Crier  gave sterling support while the King and Queen were both perfectly regal. Almost stealing the show and giving a superb performance was Gothel the witch, reminiscent of Wicked, her solos were spot on. 

However, this was very much an ensemble production with the chorus being very  much part of the show and the overall impression which spilled out into the  auditorium was of an incredibly happy ship! 

Lighting and sound were highly effective and complemented the action and the  costumes throughout were just fantastic and beautifully co-ordinated. The King and  Queen alone had 3 separate, perfectly matching outfits and the finale was a simply  stunning sparkly red with touches of blue. 

It was good to see the long-standing performer playing the King given a moment to  shine in the final song and the tribute to the memory of a founding member and  lifelong supporter made for a lovely touch at the end. 

It was refreshing to be treated to a different fairy-tale for a change! Very well done!

The N.O.D.A. Representative’s intention is to give an objective critique of the  overall production and in particular the performance viewed. It should be  remembered that any review of this nature can only be objective as far as the  techniques used during the performance observed. Any criticisms expressed  may not have been valid at other performances and are only made to  encourage higher standards in Amateur Theatre.

 

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