Download the new logos for the programme and poster competition

Robinson Crusoe

Author: Julie Addison

Information

Date
2nd February 2024
Society
Heckington Players Amateur Dramatic Society
Venue
Hale Magna Village Hall, Great Hale, Lincolnshire
Type of Production
Pantomime
Director
Callum Thomas
Producer
Stuart Wyle
Written By
Kei Bailey

Heckington Players have had to face some very tough challenges with some believing that last years’ panto could well be their last.  However, with a new venue and a whole load of enthusiasm on stage and off, they have definitely put themselves back in the pantomime game with their sparkling production of ‘Robinson Crusoe’.

Robinson Crusoe is loosely based on Daniel Defoe’s classic story, where Crusoe finds himself stranded on a desert island.  Kei Bailey has taken this basic idea and turned it completely on its head to produce a witty script that Heckington players have made into a hilarious pantomime. Kei certainly understands the concept of what makes a good panto making it more accessible to a modern audience thorough updating jokes but without losing the general family appeal. 

Directed by Callum Thomas and featuring the traditional panto roles, we are transported to the delightfully named ‘Much Piddling by the Sea’ where our hero lives with his mother Ma Crystal Crusoe and his brother Billy Crusoe making a living selling fish and chips to the locals.

First, we meet our story guide the ethereal Fairy Marina, played with sardonic humour by Colette Buchanan-Gray, who is in possession of an intriguing bottle containing an ancient treasure map.  Colette reminded me of the ‘lady of the lake’ in Spamalot when she gently admonished Kei the scriptwriter complaining that she should have had more lines and sparring playfully with the audience!

Next, we meet the villains performing a pirate themed opening number – an all-female crew of rapscallions each with a suitably nautical name led by Peggy Sharkfin (Laura Griffin).  Laura played her part well and some of her facial expressions were hilarious.  She also showcased a lovely singing voice with a mash-up of ‘Wellerman and Drunken Salilor.’  Then the real villain made her swashbuckling entrance - the Pirate Captain Morwenna Kilkraken (Mel Priestley.)  Mel was a wonderful baddie snarling and taunting the audience she also showed impressive vocals belting out her show stopping song. 

All the lady pirates played their parts enthusiastically and energetically performing the dance numbers while sporting varied different accents and costumes to differentiate their characters.   Stand-out performances for me were Nell Skulduggery (Kelly Anderson) with her wide-eyed innocence and hilarious malapropisms ‘all the colours of the rectum’ which had the audience in stitches, One-Eyed Wendy the hypochondriac ship’s doctor (Jenni Chamberlain) and Gertrude Squidsquisher (Katie Calo). 

Every panto needs a comedy stooge and here we have Silly Billy played with a twinkle in his eye and obvious relish by Aaron Pettican. Poor Billy didn’t want to sell fish and chips he craved a career as an entertainer.  His magic tricks, with his mother channelling her best magician’s assistant aka Debbie McGee, were some of highlights of the show.  Another stand out was his incredible quick-change montage of pop artists ranging from Take That to Madness with Ma Crusoe feeding him his cues.  Aaron was a fizzing ball of energy sporting yellow dungarees who knew just how to get the best from the audience with a coquettish smile and witty repartee.

This panto also featured a pair of incompetent comedy sidekicks the dire Debt Collectors Bernie Slobber (David O’Brien) and Barney Dribble (Glen Barker).  The dodgy duo tried to extort money from Ma Crusoe who hilariously turned the tables on them.  The pair worked very well together, and I was impressed with their comic timing.  Barney’s lovesick poetry to his latest paramour, rife with innuendo, was another highlight and had the audience roaring with laughter as they filled in the blanks.  

Robinson Crusoe, in true gender-bending tradition, was played by Rachel Rowett.  Rachel was the romantic hero of the title interacting with the other characters and showing her lovely vocals in charming duets with love interest and leading lady the delightful Polly Perkins.  Despite some microphone issues, Rachel showed resilience and did not let this impact her performance.  Polly played by Paige Ruddlesdin played her part well and had a nice singing voice.  Her father, Mayor Percival Perkins (Godfrey Barlow) was not too impressed with Robinson’s designs on his daughter and there were some lovely moments between father and daughter as Polly showed her stubbornness in her defiance by going off with Robinson.  The mayor was also the butt of many jokes for example while trying to train the ship’s crew in musket training using mops and a hilarious magic trick resulting in him losing more than his shirt!  Godfrey’s face on his pair of underpants was a funny addition.

Then we meet the aptly named Gladys Friday (Jo Warrick) a lonely middle-aged woman who, while looking for love on a singles cruise, was swept overboard and has been living on the island ever since. Jo played the part perfectly with all the verbal and physical mannerisms of someone who has been enjoying their own company for far too long.  Her relationship with her chameleon Lionel was hilarious and provided the joke of the night about 'reptile dysfunction.’ Still wearing the ragged remnants of her tweedy suit, she provided much of the comedy with her eccentric performance.

Last but, definitely not least, is our glamourous Dame Ma Crystal Crusoe played by the talented and versatile Kei Bailey.  Once again Kei showed why he is such an excellent dame with his tongue firmly in his cheek so at ease with his audience and incorporating no less than 11 different costume changes.   My favourites were the fish and chip newspaper frock and his jungle explorer outfit complete with a tarantula sitting on top of the pith helmet.  Kei interacted with all the different characters allowing them to shine.  His scenes with Silly Billy were by far the standouts of the show especially the cooking scene where he and Billy tried to make supper for the crew with hilarious results.  The trick with the cockerel was comedy gold.

The stage was simple relying on a projected image to set the scene and minimal props allowing the cast to make full use of the stage.  Costumes were appropriate to the story line.  I especially like the Barbie theme with all the male characters sporting blonde wigs and Hawaii shirts like Ken.  Some issues, such as long pauses between scene changes, were understandable considering the group's new location but at least we were entertained with a jaunty ditty.  The new venue presented them with additional problems to overcome which, overall, they managed to deal with without affecting the audience’s enjoyment.  Sound was provided by Mark Elsom, who was also the Technical Manager, and lighting by Colin Wilson who ensured the stage was well lit.

All in all, a very slick and funny show that was greatly appreciated by the ample audience.  Well done to Mark Elsom and Stage Manager Callum Thursby who have worked tirelessly to transform the Hale Magna village hall into a functioning performance space.  A final note, my friend who came along to watch it said it was the best she had ever seen, and she’s performed in quite a few so a high accolade indeed!  Well done to all concerned especially Callum Thomas on his directing debut and his team of creatives on stage and front of house.  

© NODA CIO.  All rights reserved 

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.

Other recent show reports in the East Midlands region

Funders & Partners