Scrooge the pantomime

HATS pantomime ‘Scrooge’, certainly a title not seen before but offering a lot for the large cast from the Limelight Script.

The production team Judi Ingram, Holly Hancock, Lin Galley, worked hard with this large cast.to entertain the sell-out audience, interesting mix of music and comedy, and a colourful set and costumes, not certain why Scrooge set in a sweet factory except that it offers more colour to a drab expectation from the book, and the extras in the cast.

In the title role, David Ivins showed his experience and reputation in the area with a stylish representation of Scrooge, very good singing and all the acting attributes for this role. He worked well with his fellow thespians in this story: a very strong Bob Cratchit from Tom Corfield, definitely a major player, and nephew Fred from Robin Baines, also a strong role.

Add the tea-lady Jan Butty from Paul Corfield as a colourful and outspoken dame to the trio above and this quartet of very strong male characterisations needed in this pantomime must have been a joy to the director.

One should not forget the considerable contribution to the pantomime from the large, colourful, and very vocal chorus, and including the energy of those youngsters, plus the minor characters in the story, definitely good for the group and fun for the village.

In the Cratchit family, as well as Bob with his leading role, a well spoken dialogue from Julie Barker as Mrs Cratchit and Michelle Lake as Susan. The pathos moment given full attention as a delightful Tiny Tim from Aylan McKenna on the night I attended.

To the warnings and ghostly visitations, and again some skeletons, this season think present in every pantomime. The ghost of Jacob Marley, suitable make-up and laden with chains, a dramatic entrance from Ian Richardson with his fearful warnings of what is to come. Followed by Past Ghost from Matthew Grapes, Present Ghost from Richard Didymus-Baines, and Future Ghost from Daniel Humphries, and luckily Scrooge got the message and reformed to give a happy ending.

A much more dynamic pantomime than last year, maybe due to a better script, and certainly all seemed to be enjoying the visit to the stage.

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