Red Riding Hood

First a thankyou to WITS for the warm welcome given to my wife and me on our first visit to the company and I hope it won’t be the last!

This production of Red Riding Hood written by Roy Preston was a refreshing slant on the traditional story and so made it that much more interesting.

As soon as the curtain opened the audience were treated to a projected back cloth that enhanced the set and complemented the staging of the pantomime.

The costumes were outstanding and helped get the various characters into their roles.

The Dame came on stage just a shade suddenly. Before you knew it, there she was in all her dazzling glory as the Grandma and right from the start, had the audience in the palm of her hand or should I say “his” a great performance played with enthusiasm and sang well too!

Red Riding Hood did well, also sang very well and played the role with tenderness and sensitivity looking every inch the part.

King Conkers who was eccentric and forgetful made the part very much his own, but at times, just went on a little too long on the forgetfulness theme. None the less was very endearing and had enviable energy. He was ably supported by his longsuffering and patient Herald.

As always in every pantomime you have a” goody “.  In this case ,Fairy Primrose ,and all in rhyme too! Unfortunately, the wand was pointing more to the floor than being upright for a lot of the time, but when the she got angry with the wolf she really came into her own. As for the Wolf, he looked every inch the sly villain, his costume was superb and a great speaking voice to match.  A really good characterization.

Prince Harry looked good, sang very well indeed, connected well with the audience and complemented Red Riding with some authentic exchanges.

The Squire commanded the stage as soon as she spoke! A terrific performance done with style and confidence. Great stage presence and timing. The scenes with the two stooges Meddle and Muddle were funny and well-timed .They were enthusiastic and had obviously put a lot of time and effort into their scenes together so that they bounced off each other really well “A Hole in my Bucket” was     really funny and even though you knew what was coming with such a well-known number, they managed to put in several individual and different touches which held the attention of the audience.

The trees were such a great touch and not easy to pull off as it’s difficult to show much individual characterisations in trees! But they did and did it well.

The animals looked good in amongst the trees, providing the “ah” factor, always good in a really local pantomime, along with some really talented young dancers.

These productions just don’t happen all on their own a tremendous lot of time and effort goes into it, from stage hands, props, lighting, costumes, front of house and chaperones

I congratulate everyone concerned with the production especially the Director, Graham Sessions & the MD Roger Leaver who played so expertly.

Again, thanks to WITS for what was a most enjoyable evening, Willand is very fortunate to have this Society in their midst and such a great hall to perform in. Much better than a night in front of the T.V!

Graham Liverton

Regional Councillor NODA Southwest

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