Robinson Crusoe

It's that time of the year again and pantos abound. It’s always a pleasure to be invited to Winton Players’ latest production – billed as “Petersfield’s Proper Panto” - and this year it was Robinson Crusoe (from Lazy Bee Scripts), not based on a traditional fairy tale but on Daniel Defoe’s famous adventure story. However, the strong script had all the traditional panto ingredients thrown in, not least a strong storyline and an endless supply of really groan-worthy jokes!

As the curtains drew back, we were greeted with a really impressive set, showing the Brass Knocker Inn in Portsmouth, constructed by the very talented ‘Artful Bodgers’. Every scene-change revealed more props, sets and backcloths, of professional quality – especially the amazing ship set. The lighting (by Max Burrage and the Green A Team) more than did it justice and, along with lots of bright and colourful costumes (Wardrobe Wizards), wigs and makeup (Jay Elsey and Mandy Godridge), made a marvellous visual image, complimented by the imaginative choreography.

It was good to hear a live band, under MD Philip Young. It may have been small but it was perfect for the show, producing a great sound. The quality of singing throughout by chorus and soloists – right down to the very littlest – was excellent, a tribute to Chorus Master Em Sefton-Smith. Sound (Simon and Janet Auty) was crystal clear throughout the show, ensuring we heard every word sung and spoken.

Leading the cast, in good thigh-slapping form, was Karla Welch as Robinson Crusoe, really commanding the stage and well-matched by Daisy Bedford as his love interest Polly Perkins, another strong performance, and both with excellent singing voices. Joe Tully turned in a confident and mature performance as Robinson’s young brother Billy – the comic – with a great stage presence and lots of easy repartee with the audience - a nice singing voice too. Joff Lacey, a master at working a live audience, was perfect as the Dame, Olivia Crusoe, with some outrageous wigs and costumes. Em Sefton-Smith and George Pinhorn made a great duo of daft idiots, Ted and Ned, giving us lots of knockabout fun on stage and leading the community singing. Simon Stanley was the perfect baddie, Captain Tiberius Hand, with his booming voice and great costume, commanding every scene he appeared in and easily generating lots of boos and hisses. Matthew Bell made the Cannibal Chief believably serious and threatening but was easily given the slip by Steve Sheppard as Friday.

The many talented youngsters involved in the show got their chance to shine in the “Under the Ocean” scene at the start of Act 2: great costumes and well-performed choreography. Special praise must go to William Holmes and Jacob Cole for their really confident and characterful performances as the debt collectors.

Roger Wettone, his assistant Matthew Bell and their huge creative team have pulled together a really colourful and exciting pantomime, setting the standard that others in the area must try to match. The small but responsive audience expressed its appreciation for all your hard work with its enthusiastic reception, and applause and cheers at the end. We all had a great time – thank you!

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