Robinson Crusoe and The Pirates

A visit to our most Southerly society in NODA North is always worth the long and windy drive through the Dales as the welcomes both Peter and I received by the members of Hawes Operatic Society are as warm and friendly as you will receive anywhere in the District.

An absolutely packed Market Hall was full of excitement for this year's Panto, Robinson Crusoe and the Pirates, and the performance did not disappoint. Before I discuss the actual performance I must give huge praise to the whole production team behind the curtain. Everything is done from scratch by this Society, from bright and colourful costumes through to the elaborate scenery and props - it is clear just how much work had gone into this show. Producer Amy Cockett had a clear vision for the show and her huge production team (far too many to individually list in here) all pulled together to create a stunning visual setting.

Little touches and effects were really clever with the different levels of waves and raised platform adding height and levels to the staging. The oversized props such as the giant cooking pot, massive sink plug and cleverly constructed cave, all great features. The costumes were sensational bringing so much life and colour to the scenes. Led by Liz Connelly not only were the Principal leads well kitted out but the Junior ensemble looked fantastic. From Mermaids to sailors, jellyfish to Vegan tribesfolk everyone looked amazing. The colours worked so well with the intricate and bold lighting plot from Tony Wilkins. Overall the attention to detail was fantastic with the Giant Man eating plant costume really standing out in Act Two.

Amy Cockett, dressed in glittery mermaid costume, set the story in both Acts cleverly re-writing Joseph Prologue lyrics to describe the action ahead and it was a lovely chance for her to show off some beautiful and controlled vocals, well backed up by the Junior Chorus.

This Pantomime had a huge cast and everyone brought so much energy to the show, the Junior Ensemble were for me real standouts and incredibly busy the whole evening. The choices of songs were well thought out with School Song from Matilda really well performed and led by Eva Cockett who has clearly got her parents genes as she delivered excellent acting ability and also has a gorgeous and sincere tone to a sweet and pitch perfect singing voice. Her younger brother Jack in a few cameo roles delivered his part with real confidence, his lines and clarity as the Paperboy really impressive.

Also really standing out in the Junior ensemble was Amelia Coates as Queen Tofu. This young girl never stopped acting all night, her expressions and characterisation had real Panto quality to them.

Almost everyone in the production had a named part with everyone fully immersed in their characters. Millie Spink and Freya Hulley were well cast as the love interest Daisy Defoe and Robinson Crusoe. They had a lovely connection with Freya's thigh slaps and bold intros perfect for a traditional Principal Boy. Millie Spink again proved some beautiful vocals in some tricky songs with Yesterday by the Beatles showing off an impressive range. A young lady to watch in the future who just needs to realise how good she is to take it up another level.

Playing Robinson’s brother, Billy, was played by Val Robinson, a regular in Hawes panto and the audience clearly have a good rapport with this silly character with her interaction gaining some good response. Robert King returned as the Dame of the show and alongside a wonderful collection of outrageous costumes really commanded the stage. Cheeky innuendos and wicked flirting with male cast members were delivered well. The lip pouting, eyebrow raises and skirt lifting all helping to deliver a cheeky physical performance.

Constantly under attack from the Dame’s advance were not one but two poor victims. Captain Codpiece, played with a lovely Cornish accent by Timothy McQueen was ever-present. His energy was fantastic and his cheeky lines delivered with style. Gillian Anderson played Dr Defoe, our secret agent on a mission to find and bring down Captain Redbeard. Her entrance was very clever in true 007 style and she managed to keep the story moving long whilst navigating numerous hurdles. 

Every Panto needs a silly duo and Graham and Julia Di Duca certainly delivered on that front. They bounced off each other well with good slapstick style, the manner fittingly like a bickering married duo! The pretend cafe scene was a highlight for this pair with cream everywhere! With wordy scenes they did well with the script and convincing as the undercover spies working for our baddie.

Talking of Baddies, it is rare to have to wait so long for their introduction but it was well worth the wait with Alex Donaldson-Coates bringing huge energy and a massive impact to the end of Act One and continuing for the rest of the show. He really got the audience going and had a wonderful menacing manner to him. A brilliant baddy display along with his sidekicks Ian Rimmer and Christa Fagg Rowlence who was excellent with a really lively presence to her.

The song choice of Van Halen’s jump was a great choice for the Captains entrance song and tied in brilliantly with the funny and technically creative walking the plank finale to the Act. All musical numbers were well delivered and it was great to have an excellent trio of Colin Bailey, Michael Yare and John Keeler as a live band giving the numbers a lot more depth and life.

Act Two saw a number of other characters introduced as they arrived on Vegan Island with Dan Cockett as the creepy Man Eating Plant, Matt Alderson as Ben Bunn and Eva Cockett as the witch Doctor. All 3 really brought different qualities to their roles giving extra dimension to the story. The introduction and the standout performance of the night was from Dave Clark as Man Friday. His introduction and entrance through the audience brought the place to life as his bum wiggling, twists and turns alongside a cracking voice in Coconut Woman showed off a very talented performer. His energy, reactions and facial expressions were infectious and really brought the big scenes to life.

The ending, traditional audience singalong and brilliant finale certainly rounded off an excellent evening of entertainment. The show really could have stuttered with a lot of complicated scene changes but Amy and Bethan Sowerby, who was an absolute machine in scene changes made sure it didn’t slow the show down. Huge credit must go to Producer Amy Cockett who put together a slick and technical Pantomime which I’m told is a highlight in the Hawes calendar. 

Huge well done and massive thank you to everyone involved. This Pantomime is the perfect example of a Community all coming together to not only deliver great entertainment but  also act as a lovely platform for performers to shine and young actors to develop their skills. I can not wait to see what next year has in store for you all.

 

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