Robinson Crusoe and the Pirates

ROBINSON CRUSOE and the Pirates
PAIGNTON PANTOMIME PRODUCTIONS

DIRECTOR Iain Douglas

MUSICAL DIRECTOR Allan Fouracre

CHOREOGRAPHER Elaine Johnson
REVIEW Graham Liverton January 2nd , 2026

What a great way to start the New Year, a cracking pantomime
with all the traditional goodies and baddies, shouts of all the
usual, “he’s behind you”, “oh yes, he is” etc and for good
measure some local jokes too!
When you visit Paignton Pantomime Productions you just know
you are in for a treat and when you think they cannot possibly
reach new heights well, oh yes, they certainly did!
The whole production from curtain up to the finale was speedy
and flowed with apparent ease, no pregnant pauses, no late
entrances and truly professional expertise
The singing was wonderfully delivered and soloists performed
well, with great support from the joyful chorus, putting real
feeling into what they were singing; the songs chosen were up
to date and appropriate to the story line.
Yes, you must have a strong cast and this show certainly had in
bucket loads, but you also need to have a strong chorus along
with talented dancers and they had all of that too!
The difference it makes when they all smile is so important, this
they certainly achieved right from the word go! It puts the
audience at ease, and you just know its going to be a great
couple of hours of sheer pleasure
This was a beautifully dressed production with lots of glamour
and colour, the sets were well constructed and eye catching 

the projection screen skilfully used to complement the sets and

the giant octopus was just scary enough for the audience,
hovering out from the stage over the orchestra pit and
menacingly waving its tentacles, threatening to come even
further. Good stuff!
Lighting was cleverly effective along with super sound!
Choreography was outstanding, every move different from a
range of ages that performed with expertise and all smiling!
Under great direction from Elaine Johnson

The music was chosen very well and a great sound by the band
headed by Allan Fouracre who took the traditional soaking from
the giant water pistols flourished by the Dame and Nick with his
usual good humour and tolerance.

The Director, Iain Douglas has great skill in getting the panto off
to a good and fast start and maintains the right pace throughout
the pantomime, so important, and his skilful direction brings out
the full potential of the performers, both principals and
supporting cast

Robinson Crusoe -Elliott
Performed the role with aplomb with good looks and singing
voice to match, moved around the stage with confidence and
ease.
Juanita -Georgia
Looked the part and sang well and had the character buttoned
up she had grace and style
Margarita Juicilita-Gary
Commanded the stage as soon as he walked on dressed
impressively, complete with feathers he had the audience
eating out of his hands, so important for the dame to have that
warmth and authority ,he is just a natural.

Nutty Nick – Gary
Came over very well and had the audience going for the
reactions etc. Sometimes this role and others of the genre, can
become irritating, shouting out and reacting every time to
protect his nuts! But he did it with skill and ease and never
overdid it. He had the audience on his side right from the
outset.
Captain Seasalt- Peter
Did a great job and carried himself with great dignity among his
weird and wonderful companions, delivering his lines so well
and with authority, very convincing.
Cutthroat -Alex
If ever there was an actor to play Cutthroat, Alex was it, a
superb role for him, he exuded wickedness which made him so
easy to boo and his oohar’s completed the piratical persona
Alex’s portrayal was tremendous!
Brandon -Skull Duggery and Kirea - Cross-Bones
Complimented each other well as the silly pair and fed off each
other to a T, with some funny lines delivered well and with great
timing
Katie - Coral -Spirit of the Seas
Did a grand performance with presence and grace coupled with
a superb singing voice, I should have liked more solos from her,
her costume was done well, and she looked every inch the
goodie!
Issac – Davey Jones
He brought his character out very well; he looked super and
moved well, a creepie baddie in a nice sort of way and also in
the chorus, had some quick changes no doubt!

Kay -Friday. Played the role well, she had the stance and movement that

made Friday important and very much part of the story

Kate  -Mumbo Jumbo
You could just tell that she enjoyed her role, she made this part
her own with such enthusiasm that was very endearing, you
wouldn’t want to get on the wrong side of her, however.

Glenys -Hocus Pokus
Looked superb in her role, moving across the stage very
menacingly with superb facial expressions that would frighten
anybody! Obviously relished the role and as Chairman of PPG
must be very proud of the society

Poll The Parrot
Just brilliant, it’s not easy to perform under a complete costume
that covers your head as you get so hot! But this parrot looked
and performed with “flying” colours! (sorry)
I saw the Red Team of Junior Dancers on the 2 nd of January, they
were brilliant and I have it on good authority that the Blue Team
performed equally well. What talented young people and again,
never without a smile
I know a tremendous lot of work goes on to perform such a
pantomime and rehearsals must have been fun, but none of
this would be possible without a fantastic stage crew,
chaperones,
lighting and sound crew and front of house, their smiling
welcome always a delight on a cold dark evening, so well done
to all of them.
PPP should be very proud of this fantastic pantomime, a
polished performance that many professional performers would
be envious of and so thoroughly enjoyed by their audiences
Many Congratulations to all concerned

Graham Liverton
NODA Immediate Past National President

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