Rumple4Skin

Sparks Dramatic Society invited us to watch their adult pantomime Rumple4Skin, a brilliantly cheeky take on the classic tale of Rumpelstiltskin but with all the adult jokes, innuendo, and outrageous humour you’d expect from a late‑night panto. From the moment the curtain rose, it was clear that this production was not aiming for subtlety. Instead, it embraced the full, unfiltered spirit of adult pantomime: bold, bawdy, and unapologetically silly.

Rumpleforeskin, played by Adam Carter, was an absolute standout. Adam played the part brilliantly, with characterisation that never slipped for a moment. His commitment to the role was evident in every gesture, every line delivery, and every eyebrow raise. The choices of attire he changed into throughout the pantomime were certainly an eye‑opener for some audience members some costumes (or lack thereof) drew audible gasps but Adam’s confidence carried every moment. He threw himself into the absurdity with total abandon, and the result was a performance that was both hilarious and strangely endearing. His ability to balance filth with charm made Rumpleforeskin a character the audience couldn’t help but love. Tony Scott George took to the stage as Dame Penny Trate, and from start to finish he completely commanded the stage. Tony’s audience interactions were razor‑sharp, and his quick wit meant no moment was wasted. He had the audience in fits of laughter, whether delivering a perfectly timed punchline or reacting to an unexpected audience comment. There were moments of genuine shock, this was an adult pantomime, after all but Tony handled every outrageous line with confidence and flair. His presence anchored the show, and his comedic instincts were some of the strongest of the evening.

Princess Bella Donner, played by Melissa Mottershead, brought a lovely blend of sweetness and sass to the production. Melissa leaned into the parody of the traditional panto princess, giving Bella Donner a playful innocence that contrasted beautifully with the chaos around her. Her reactions to the more outrageous characters were particularly funny, and she delivered her lines with clarity and confidence. Melissa’s performance added warmth to the show, grounding the madness with a character the audience could root for. Prince Claude, played by Jem Marshall‑Ayre, was another enjoyable performance. Jem captured the slightly dim‑witted but well‑meaning charm of the prince, leaning into the comedy of the role with enthusiasm. His chemistry with Melissa worked well, and his physical comedy particularly in scenes involving Rumpleforeskin was well executed. Jem’s portrayal added another layer of humour to the production, and he handled the adult jokes with ease.

Fairy Flutters, played by Kimberley Ross, made several appearances throughout the pantomime, each one accompanied by pyrotechnics that were, intentionally or not, startlingly loud. Kimberley brought a whimsical, slightly chaotic energy to the role, floating in and out of scenes with a mischievous sparkle. She was great at delivering the magical commentary and guiding the story along. However, I did struggle to hear her at points, which may have been due to sound balance issues between her microphone and the music levels. This is something worth considering for future productions, as her character’s lines were often important for moving the plot forward. This issue wasn’t limited to Fairy Flutters. Some of the musical numbers also suffered from imbalances between microphones and music levels. At times, the backing tracks overpowered the vocals, making it difficult to catch lyrics or fully appreciate the performers’ singing. While this didn’t detract from the fun of the show, it’s certainly something that could be refined in future pantomimes to ensure the cast’s hard work is heard clearly.

Smegma, played by Daniel Cope, had the audience laughing and occasionally recoiling with disgust at some of his antics and adventures throughout the pantomime. Daniel embraced the grotesque humour of the role wholeheartedly, delivering a performance that was both bold and brilliantly revolting. What made his portrayal particularly impressive was that he never let his character slip, nor did he fall foul of breaking the fourth wall unnecessarily. Even in the most absurd moments, he stayed fully committed, which made the comedy land even harder.

Dirty Donner, played by Katy Thomason‑Sewart, delivered some fantastic lines with great personality and confidence. Katy’s comedic timing was excellent, and she brought a wonderfully brash energy to the role. Her interactions with the other characters were consistently entertaining, and she handled the adult humour with ease. Dirty Donner quickly became a crowd favourite thanks to Katy’s bold, unapologetic performance.

The ensemble was great at supporting the main cast, bringing energy, enthusiasm, and plenty of cheeky humour to the stage. Their reactions, background interactions, and commitment to the adult panto style helped create a lively atmosphere throughout. Whether dancing, singing, or simply reacting to the madness unfolding around them, the ensemble added depth and vibrancy to the production. The choreography, created by Sue Bradbury, was lively, clear, and well‑suited to the cast. Sue’s routines allowed everyone to shine without feeling overly complicated, which is exactly what an adult pantomime needs. The movement was fun, cheeky, and full of character, enhancing the musical numbers and keeping the energy high.

Overall, Rumple4Skin was a riotous, outrageous, and thoroughly entertaining adult pantomime. Sparks Dramatic Society delivered a night full of laughter, surprises, and unapologetic silliness. While there were some technical issues with sound levels, the strength of the performances particularly from Adam Carter and Tony Scott George ensured the audience had a fantastic time. It was bold, cheeky, and exactly what an adult panto should be: a night of pure, unfiltered fun. Thank you for your kind invitation and I look forward to seeing you all soon.

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