Red Riding Hood

When the ‘Big Bad Wolf’ enters the stage with suitable demeanour and costume and the audience starts reacting without a word being spoken, you know you’re in for a fun evening. Andy Evans played the role well giving every opportunity for the audience to join in. Then followed the opening company number in a blaze of colour and one by one the other characters are introduced.

‘Peter Piper’ played by Casey Benson had a bright and natural personality, sang and moved well and made immediate contact with the audience. ‘Barny’ (Marcus Delorenzo) also had a very natural delivery in his quest to become the official village idiot, but unbelievably he even failed to achieve that! ‘Red’ played by Jess Crook gave a very pleasing performance and sang well with ‘Peter’ in their duet ‘Don’t You Worry ‘Bout A Thing’. We met ‘Mayor Reginald’ (Tim Wilson) who reminded us how easy it is to play the politician and procrastinate over any decisions.

‘Granny Hood’ who lived in the wood was brilliantly played by Karen Evans; great personality and comedy timing. The three pigs ‘Pinky’, ‘Perky’ and ‘Porky’ (Chloe Yates, Susan Derrett and Penny Sant respectively) added to the fun along the way. We also had two obviously dressed robbers ‘Hammer’ and ‘Tongs’ (Lucy Tyrrell and Alice Rawlins) who became the Big Bad Wolf’s accomplices and gave great support. They moved well in their number ‘Chillin’ Like a Villain’.

Another musical highlight in Act 1 was ‘Rewrite The Stars’ sang by ‘Price Rupert’ (Christine Kislak) and ‘Red’. Christine was every bit the Prince and despite their differences in status understandably fell for ‘Red’.

All the company numbers including ‘Walk in the Woods’ which opened Act 2 were well rehearsed with some slick choreography and all the scenes were backed by some well painted and constructed scenery, including Granny’s cottage plus some very effective backcloths. All the costumes were colourful and well fitted and generally the overall pace moved along well. Congratulations on a great evening’s entertainment.

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