Robinson Crusoe

There is no doubt in my mind that the general standard of pantomime in the region seems to have risen over the years so I was in good spirits and with high hopes of another seasonal triumph. Whatever the outcome it is never a hardship to take my seat with DTS and on this occasion almost from the very first I knew I was onto a winner. My congratulations to the band of three who managed to keep in time with the performers and keep the volume under control. The set was incredibly simple and versatile and had obviously had many hours of work put into not only the building but also the design of such a workable stage area. The costumes were outstanding especially the dames frocks but all the rest were imaginative and fun

The part of the Dame is always a key person in any pantomime and Andre Dore is a past master at playing this important role. He/she was everything a dame should be carrying the audience along with her. In this production Man Friday was equally important. Mark Barnes gave a hilarious interpretation skipping around the stage winning the hearts of everyone with brilliant facial expressions and a great sense of fun. Emma Godden had an equally busy part as Gilbert (the sort of Buttons character) who always seemed to be the kicking board for everyone. She played her part well singing and acting convincingly. Zoe Green as Robinson Crusoe strutted around with determination being manly in her movements especially during her sword fight when the pirates entered the scene. The Good and the Bad fairies played by Judith and Sophie Mason-Griffiths gave stirling performances, the later being all evil without actually frightening the children in the audience. Sir Roger and Lady Mildred (John Stovold and Tracey Shaughnessy) were cast as the thoroughly unpleasant parents of the delightful Leading Lady, Kizzie Ravera who was everything she should be with an attractive vocal capacity. Her version of ‘It’s Getting Better’ was really beautiful. Tracey as her ‘gin soaked’ mother swayed, weaved and swigged from a flask from start to finish. It was great to see Frances Mansell (the Pirate King) and Aimee Bullimore (Chief Yum Tum) back on stage acting. They are both so good, holding their own in very different types of roles. A youngster with great promise is Kate Rodriques (Pom Pom) as the sex starved maiden who was hilarious having developed a passion for poor Gilbert. That only leaves the unseen King Neptune whose voice was commanding and forceful sorting out the story to everyone’s satisfaction at the end.

 A special mention should be made about the Plymouth Ho Ho Ho’s, Jodie, Elysia, Wendy, Micky, Debs and Becky, a group of adult dancers who moved and sang exceptionally well in a great many scenes.  The remainder of the cast were Pirates and villagers all acting and singing well with good facial expressions showing how much they felt involved in the production.  It is rare for a pantomime to have no weak links in the cast. Everyone gave of their all to good affect. Well done.

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