Robinson Crusoe and the Pirates

Dereham are so lucky to have the magnificently renovated and updated Memorial Hall as their home venue, It smacks of theatrical opulence as soon as you walk in and I am sure this, in a perhaps metaphysical sense, lifts the cast to give it their best possible performance. Certainly this was another first class all round production with no real weaknesses and some fine performances from principals and chorus alike. We had the statuesque and thoroughly confident Robinson (Jayne Andrew) who left us in no doubt that she was in command of the stage with her tantalisingly seductive style Yes I know she is playing a man, but this is panto and in true traditional spirit this was wholly correct with arms firmly planted on hips, copious thigh slaps, all cheered by the audience, and legs…well legs ! Equally beguiling and played with just the right level of demure but enticing latin charm was Juanita (Rachael Bird)…they were made for each other and shared strong singing voices. The Dame, Margarita Juicilita (Gareth Evans) was outrageously made up and engaged the audience from the outset, not always easy! Gareth is becoming a real expert at ‘Damely’ antics and mannerisms and appeared totally at ease and confident ‘in the frock’; he/she was suitably brazen but also protective of her offspring and rightly so..I am sure there were good reasons for this tale to begin in Brazil !? Also on the comedy front we had Nutty Nick (Nick Bird) who, as always, brought his not inconsiderable experience to truly capture the funny moments with immaculate timing and a cheery audience pleasing line in ‘Naughty Nicks natty nuts’ or something similar…he was a joy to behold and led the line of comedy characters with aplomb. Captain Seasalt (Doug Hartley) every inch the ‘salty sea dog’, Cut Throat (John McInnes), Skull-Duggery (Emma Gail), Cross-Bones (Kevin Reeve) all providing excellent support and some rollicking moments of manic mirth..and well.. skulduggery! Oh Yes they did !.. We just knew that treasure map got torn for a reason ! The tale did take some time (too long ?) to unfold and eventually, after a very effective shipboard storm scene and an imaginative under the sea scene, complete with Davy Jones, straight from Pirates of the Carribean in the monstrous mask, we had a new slant on Man Friday ( Colin Harris..who was also unrecognisable as Davy Jones). Now it is incumbent upon us in this age of political correctness to be aware of stereotyping...no fear of that here as good old British ‘Stiff upper lip’ was the order of the day as the sophisticated and obviously privately educated Friday gave us a different perspective on the role and brought his own interpretation to bear on the proceedings ! All of which culminated in the cooking pot scene as the Cannibal Islanders ( Hmm!) Mumbo Jumbo (Samantha Elmhurst) ‘King’, and with an island named after him ! Hocus Pocus (Summer Giles) a Witch Doctor by any other name, but clearly in awe of the most impressive Idol, with working parts, providing some suitably ‘hot and tasty’ moments for our heroes. The colourful and noisy Poll The Parrot ( Katrina Porter ) was lucky not to become the ‘Christmas Turkey’.All this of course led to treasure being discovered and a ‘Happy ending’ was guaranteed as the colourful Mardi Gras (Well it was in Brazil !) ended the proceedings with excellent chorus work and as throughout, yet more nifty footwork from the busy quartet of dancers ( Ellie Buckingham, Lucy Daniels, Amy Evans, Amy Futers) Excellent live musical accompaniment, flamboyant costumes and responsive audiences. It was all there ! Same time next year folks !!

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.