Red Riding Hood

Using the time-honoured pantomime formula – topical songs, jokes that wouldn’t offend even the most straight-laced of Aunties, plenty opportunities to shout “He’s behind you!”, combined with colourful sets and costumes, and the inevitable distribution of sweeties (noticeably one to your Rep as well!) – Cowdenbeath Community Theatre couldn’t fail to provide a successful show in Red Riding Hood.

Garry Gibb as Granny Knott played his dame character to the full, every appearance in an even more outrageous costume. Lynsey Combe as Principal Boy, Peter the Woodcutter, performed her role with confidence – providing us with clear diction throughout, both in speech and singing. Cast in the title role, Aimee Stuart was a lovely Red Riding Hood who took every opportunity to gain sympathy from the audience, especially when being duped by the Wicked Wolf (Gary Duncan) in disguise. Her solos and duets were especially well performed in this, which would appear to be an ideal role for Aimee.

Alex Keatings as Patches, very quickly gained the hearts of the younger members of the audience while Squire Bullymore (Kevin Keir) managed to draw the inevitable “Boos” from the same section (and adults too, I may add!). His upper class treatment of this bumptious landed gentleman worked extremely well, and was held throughout the show.

Mention must be made of the chorus – and especially the younger members – after all, they are the Cowdenbeath Community Theatre of the future.  This chorus sang and danced extremely well and – actually looked interested, when required, in what the principal characters were saying and doing – a trait often sadly lacking in shows these days. The scenes in the pantomime were linked together, very efficiently by The Kind Fairy (Kitty Graham).  Possibly a pyro or three might be used in the future to announce the many entries of this genre of character? 

Production staff for this show obviously put tremendous work into the show – with stunning results. Suzanne Stewart (MD) and her talented musicians (shame they didn’t get a mention in the programme) coaxed many excellent vocals from principals and chorus alike while Melissa Davidson introduced some first class dance routines without ever becoming repetitive. As Director, Harry Wood must be congratulated on providing an excellent show, obviously enjoyed by the cast – and, if possible, even more so by the audience! (if the comments overheard while leaving the theatre are to be believed!).

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