Red Riding Hood and the Three Little Pigs

I take my hat off to all amateur societies and groups who have managed to overcome incredible obstacles in order to give us our much-beloved live entertainment - Morley AOS is no exception. On top of Covid restrictions, Omicron variants and the worse storms in decades, they presented us with a lovely pantomime to lift our spirits. With true Yorkshire grit, Morley audiences were not put off with lashing rain and howling winds and entered into the full spirit of this different and unique pantomime.

I did wonder how the story of Red Riding Hood would fit in with the Three Little Pigs - but, oh me of little faith, it was a great mix of fairy stories - and very well told from NODA PantoScripts, written by David Crump and Paul Simcox.

Of course, it all has to be put together from script to stage - this task fell to the very talented Producer and Choreographer, Michael Kirkby. Of course, there has to be talent in the performers - and this was very evident from the start. 

The premise of the tale has Red Riding Hood (played prettily by Charlotte Noon) and her wish to find her true love - she has an admirer in Fin, who is a fishmonger in the village (played with great humour by Jason Reynolds) but she is still 'looking'! Her Granny was portrayed by the seasoned Dame of Morley, Steven Holt, who far from being the usual doddery old lady, gave a comedic and polished performance, with some traditional Dame outfits and excellent wigs. The love interest for Red Riding Hood was Will the Woodcutter, played in a leg-slapping style by Sophie Walker - a true Principal Boy. In the story, Will finds work in the forest with two daft woodcutters called Bark (Michael Madden) and Trunk (Cameron Sherry) - this knockabout duo played their roles to perfection and excellent comedy style - seasoned performers - and the audience loved them!  Of course, in all pantomime, there has to be a 'baddie' - and to continue the story-line, it had to be Mr Wolf (Albert Roberts) - excellently costumed, with a resonating voice - and suitably wicked!  As side stories, we had Gerald (David Rogers) as Red Riding Hood's father, who brings his new wife back to the village; Ursula was the typical nasty stepmother, played very well by Annette Conway. She and the Wolf had a notable duet together. Jenny,who owned the village shop, was in love with Fin - sweetly played by Joanne Cooke (she got him in the end!). Edwin Kirkwood and Tom Daley played The Butcher and Fat Man with assurance. I cannot leave out the Three Little Pigs - Fin bought these to provide him with milk (as you do!) but realises he has to look after them (they build three lovely little cottages that the Wolf blows down!) In excellent costumes and piggy noses, Rodney (Danny Hayes), Derek (Amy Sherry and Albert (Patricia Mayfield) kept up the comedy patter very well.

A small chorus of eight supported the principals very well and kept in character with excellent singing and dancing.

The music was under the direction of David Hann, with  other keyboards by Allan Farrell and Joel Griffin and Neil Graham on Drums. The Stage Manager, Stuart Wilson, had an excellent team around him, covering lighting, sound, stage crew, props and prompt. Costumes were of a very high standard by the Wardrobe Team, providing good accessories and shoes! (I do like to see nice footwear!). The Makeup team did a very good job - it is refreshing to see a well-made-up company; it is so important in the strong theatre lighting.

All in all, a new pantomime that exceeded expectations and a production that rose above Nature's harsh elements - one last mention to the Morley Front-of-House staff, who always greet and help their patrons so well.

Congratulations to you all!

 

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