Red a riding Hood and the Three Little Pigs

It is always a pleasure to visit Slaidburn Players for their annual pantomime. This year, Slaidburn presented a wonderful production of ‘Red Riding Hood and the Three Little Pigs,’ a family friendly story full of high jinks, laughter, and delightfully terrible jokes. The audience laughed aloud throughout as story unfolded before them in a chaotic riot of comedy.

Aldwyth Pearson, Director and Producer created a vibrant, engaging show. Her cast were confident, silly, and jolly funny. I loved the inclusion of the youngest society members, their smiling faces shining out at the audience. Time spent perfecting the positioning of the younger cast members, ensured they were confident as they came onto the stage. Aldwyth gave them opportunity to shine, including them wherever possible, adding an ‘awww’ factor to scenes. I loved their inclusion in ‘The Lumberjack Song,’ their facial expressions becoming increasingly confused at the lyrics. At one point they flooded the stage dressed as rabbits, gleefully hopping around, accompanied by the song ‘Run, Rabbit Run!’it was heartwarming to see the enjoyment on their faces. Dedication to the set and stage design, payed off. Backdrops designed by Fran Cullen, were vibrant, a village, the Hood’s Hardware store and inside Granny’s bedroom to name a few. The forest was set front of curtain for the woodcutters, allowing silent set changes to occur behind the scenes. Cast members dressed as trees standing for the forest itself, animated when the cast delivered terrible jokes, looked great, their inclusion adding humour to the scenes. Choreography by Issy Bristow was suitable for all abilities. The simplicity of the opening number ‘Happy’ allowed the youngest cast members to join in, effectively keeping time with the moves. The walk-down, to ‘Hold Up a Light’ looked fabulous. The entire cast moved in synchronously then held up glow sticks as the stage lights dimmed, encouraging the audience to join in, glow sticks ready and waiting. A lovely touch to end the show. Musical Director, Janet Holland kept the pace on her keyboard. (I do admire the way she changes outfit between acts, each sparkling under the lights cast from the stage, very glamorous.) Working hard throughout the show, Janet played accompanying music whenever there was dialogue, as well as main musical numbers. Clever melodies ran beneath scenes, adding suspense, comedy, and romance. The cast sang in harmony, leads were confident, songs chosen to fit the characters and their situations. Janet kept the pace going throughout without pause, rising and falling in volume, complimenting the vocals on stage. Spotlights were tight, Lighting Technician, Neville Harrison was precise, the actors stayed within the beams as they moved. I loved the green lights during Ursula’s evil scheming, casting a sinister atmosphere upon the stage. Sound effects were prompt, the cast and company heard easily from the auditorium, Sound Technician, Andrew Harrison ensured smooth sound throughout the show. All departments ran smoothly under the guidance of Stage Manager, Val Sharp. Set changes were sleek, quiet, and unobtrusive, a team effort all round.

Little Red Riding Hood met travelling lumberjack Will the Woodcutter, who happened to be looking for work. Naturally, they fell in love, but fate separated them at once. Will went off to join fellow lumberjacks Trunk and Branch in the forest whilst Red began to prepare to visit Granny. Playing the role of Will the Woodcutter was Heather Harrison. Complete with thigh slaps and a cheeky grin, Heather confidently moved around the stage. Her character had bravado, her side glances to the audience very comical. An assured principal boy performance. Hetty Donnelly was strong as Little Red Riding Hood. She navigated the stage gracefully, kind, and gentle with quick wit when needed. Her solo, ‘Someone Like You,’ was melodic, heartfelt, her projection clear. Confident and assured, Hetty was great in this role.

Granny, played by John Sharpe, was hilarious. John had masses of energy on stage, often throwing himself around in the role of pantomime Dame. Whizzing around the stage on a scooter with crash helmet, Granny came on like a colourful hurricane. John had wonderful delivery, loud, brash, hilarious. Playing the role of would-be pig wrangler and farmer, Fin was Alex West. Fin, the joker of the pantomime was in love with Red, but it was unrequited. Alex is a strong character actor, with an impressive ability to ad lib, often with hilarious results. I thoroughly enjoyed his scenes, especially the vocal and dance routine, ‘Dance with Me Tonight,’ performed with the Three Little Pigs. Alex interacted often with the audience and his catch phrase, ‘Ey Up Fin,’ rang through the audience whenever he appeared. Pining for Fin was Jenny, hardworking shop assistant in ‘Hoods’ Hardware’ store. With great projection and a stirring rendition of ‘I’m Not That Girl,’ Helena Beattie, gave a notable performance. In true Panto tradition Fin and Jenny gained a happy ever after.

Owner of ‘Hoods’ Hardware’ and father of Little Red Riding Hood, was Gerald Hood. Under the thumb of his overbearing wife, Gerald was a good man, stuck between his wife’s greed and the desire for peace and quiet. Charlie Stephenson was comical as he grovelled and flinched under Ursula’s glare. A jolly funny performance from Charlie. The outrageous, high handed, devious Ursula met with a boo upon each arrival. Adorned with jewellery, looking glamorous and elegant as Ursula was Jane Dickinson. Treating everyone with scorn, she tried luring Red and upon failure convinced Mr Wolf to enact her dastardly plan, I loved the vocal number ‘Evil like Me,’ it was very funny. Jane confidently interacted with the audience, who cheered heartily when got her comeuppance - a pie in the face.

Donning the wolf costume of mask, cape, waistcoat, and trousers was Issy Bristow. Sneaking around trying find dinner; after not capturing the Three Little Pigs, Mr Wolf met Ursula, the resulting plan, for Mr Wolf to eat Granny and Red. Issy had excellent facial expressions even with a wolf mask covering half of her face, making her performance naturally comical. She had a strong stage presence, a confidence, allowing her to react to the audience with ease. Everyone loves to boo a bad guy and Issy earned plenty of boos as she skulked around the stage causing panic and mayhem.

The comedy pairing of Brant Middleton and Sarah Parker as Bark and Trunk respectively, was genuinely entertaining. Two hapless Woodcutters bumbling through the plot, exchanging ridiculous jokes, and causing chaos in the hardware store. Brant Middleton as Bark, designedly clueless, was very funny. Whilst Sarah Parker as Trunk delivered bad joke after bad joke with a cheeky grin, earning laughter and groans from the audience. These actors bounced off each others’ energy, joyfully playing along with their characterisations. The hardware store scene was messy and chaotic, a wonderful comedy duo performance from these actors.

Rodney, Derek, and Albert the Three Little Pigs, built their homes and tried to face off Mr Wolf, unsuccessfully, thereupon taking refuse with Granny. Erin Duckworth (Rodney), Chloe-Jessica Hanley (Derek), and Kirsty Robinson looked great in their costumes, with nose, ears, and curly tail attached. I enjoyed the tap routine performed during ‘Dance with Me Tonight,’ each actor confident in their movements. With strong vocals and excellent comedy timing this trio stood out. I particularly enjoyed them ‘hiding’ under Granny’s bed, their curly tails and feet sticking out. Very funny performances from these actors. Completing the cast, Kim-Alexandra Hanley appeared as the Butcher. Complete with apron and hat, Butcher sold his wares to the local townspeople. Kim-Alexandra gave a notable performance as Butcher, with confident dialogue and energetic dance moves.

This was a very funny, chaos filled pantomime, with larger-than-life characters in ridiculous situations and the audience loved it. The whole society pulled together to create an entertaining show full of energy. I had a fantastic evening and would like to thank Slaidburn Players for inviting me and my plus one. I look forward to many more shows from them in the future.

 

 

 

 

 

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