Robinson Crusoe

With an original script by the director this pantomime was a joy from start to finish – colourful, fast paced, full of strong characters, witty dialogue with more than a sprinkling of local references and upbeat songs. Leading the strong characters was Garry Brindley’s dame Mrs Crusoe with his usual energy and great audience interaction – beware the gentlemen in the front row! His singing voice is not of the highest quality but can he put over a song – his rendition of “Friday I’m In Love” was hilarious. Heather Stewart in the titular role of Robinson Crusoe was a striking principal boy with a good stage presence as she led her family on the hunt for the treasure. The burgeoning romance between Robinson and principal girl Sally Merchant, well played by Meaghan Peters, was sensitively handled and their duet of McFly’s “Obviously” was delightful. Andrew Dart played younger son Jimmy Crusoe and wrung every ounce of comedy from the character. His love interest Doris Dockett the Customs Officer’s daughter, strongly played by Sally Hermanns, made her intentions perfectly clear from the start – anyone for engagement ring shopping? Tim Roberts made a striking Cap’n Blackheart, the villain of the piece, as he commanded the stage threatening to slit the throat of anyone who dared cross him. His rendition of the Eurythmics “Sweet Dreams” with the chorus at the opening of Act 2 expressed his desires beautifully. The audience favourites were his two hapless assistants Flotsam (Elizabeth Levy) and Jetsam (Liz Forrest) with their catchphrase greeting “Hello Maties” generating loud reactions of “Shiver Me Timbers” from the enthusiastic full house audience. Murray Lawson as the stranded Friday provided the love interest for the man hungry Mrs Crusoe and gave a spirited rendition of Ricky Martin’s “Livin’ La Vida Loca” accompanied by the grass skirt wearing dancers. Strong support was given by Tate Hodge (Jolly Roger), Ailsa Henry (Two-Eyed Jack), Drew Mitchell (George the Gorilla) and Heather Adams Officer (the Stoney Lobster – IYKYK!).The large chorus sang and moved well throughout especially in the now traditional finale number S Club 7’s “Reach”. A video wall was introduced for the first time this year and made a huge difference to the setting being especially effective in the Dippit Inn scene with it’s roaring fire and in the onboard ship scene with the leaping dolphins in the background. Costuming was bold and colourful and appropriate to the characters. Well done Ury Players on yet another sell out production.

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