Robinson Crusoe and the Pirates

There is no doubt in my mind that the general standard of pantomime in the region seems to have risen this year and, as I travelled beyond my usual borders at the behest of Region 5 supremo Sue Dupont, 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 at the beautiful Dereham Memorial Hall and on this occasion it was for Robinson Crusoe and the Pirates (Yarr !). Almost from the very first opening of the impressive front tabs I knew I was on a winner as The Dereham Theatre Company wheeled out their pantomime elite bolstered (it is true) by a few new faces. My on-going issue with amateur pantomime is (and has always been) the quality of the scripts. They just never seem to be funny, often containing virtually no scripted gags with all the humour coming visually or from slapstick and ad-lib frequently conceived and delivered on the hoof. To be honest, it is quite often just not enough. I can triumphantly report that this was a notable exception. A brilliant script by Alan Frayn which was indeed slapped thigh deep in quality pantomime gags accessorised with some fantastic performers and some sixteen or so relevant songs all combining to create an evening where I laughed till I cried! The chorus were very focused throughout with quite simply the four hardest working dancers I have ever set eyes on. My deepest respect to Ellie Buckingham, Lucy Daniels, Amy Evans and Amy Futers who cantered their way through fourteen energetic routines assisted in no small part by some outstanding choreography courtesy of Mrs Futers. Of the supporting cast Doug Hartley was solid enough as respectable Captain Seasalt despite taking the only prompt of the night, as was Katrina Porter as Parrot Poll, who must have been roasting in that costume. I enjoyed Samantha Elmhurst as Cannibal Matriarch, Mumbo Jumbo and her very junior assistant Summer Giles as Witch Doctor, Hocus Pocus together with comedy double- act Emma Gall and Kevin Reeve as Skull-Duggary and Cross-Bones who worked hard throughout. Caroline Caldecott was every inch the “Fairy” as Coral, Spirit of the Seas with a flawless rhyming delivery and Colin Harris delivered a memorable cameo as outcast native and sidekick Friday as well as masking up for the role of Coral’s nemesis, Davy Jones. Of the leads, Jayne Andrew made a lovely job of our hero Robinson Crusoe with three thigh slaps, each of considerable quality, and John McInnes was the very personification of boo and hiss as the Evil Pirate, Cut-Throat. I absolutely loved young Rachael Bird as the female romantic lead who acted sang, and danced to a very high standard building on her noteworthy chorus appearance in Oklahoma! by taking her first leading role. It is not every heroine who can sink with the ship walk along the sea bottom and be washed ashore on a desert island in a completely different costume. Pure genius, pure Pantomime! As with last year’s production, Gareth Evans took the part of the dame this time named Margarita Juicilita and, with his delicate delivery, he was absolutely superb never missing a word or indeed a laugh and giving plenty of credibility to some spectacular costumes. In a top quality cast in a top quality production it is always nice to steal the show and that was done with complete ease by peerless comic lead, Nick Bird as Nutty Nick. No pun was left unturned as he rattled his way through dozens of jokes, a wide selection of visual gags and some excellent audience participation. Another virtuoso performance from Dereham’s own King of Comedy. My profound congratulations to Director, Jill Jarman for a directorial triumph with a show that was technically perfect, made all the more so by the steady hand on the keyboard belonging to Musical Director Ian Futers in top form as usual ably assisted by Mathew Crittenden on drums to help sell all the gags. Excellent Lighting design by Ashley Cashfield, divine sound from Mike Lynn and a lovely set by Dave Filer and Kevin Jude meant that my evening was only spoilt by not winning the raffle. Well done Dereham, you continue to set the standard!

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