Sinbad

What a joyful performance from the whole cast incorporating all the facets of panto. Jokes and nonsense abounded from their experienced writing duo. The Villagers engaged their audience at once with their rousing opening number and continued to sing and execute their routines with polished ease. The storyline is of Sinbad the sailor who had found a map which would lead to the fulfilment of Dreams. He was in love with the Princess, whose hand in marriage was being sought by the evil Salazar as a means to consolidating the power he was scheming to snatch from the King. Sinbad and his family have to combat this and of course in the end, the goodies triumph and the baddies are brought to book and reformed. The goodies are fronted by that likeable duo of Sinbad’s parents Tinbad and Dame Tina. In these roles, that irrepressible pair, Stewart Borthwick and Derek D Easton, once more worked their magic and displayed their talents of timing and rapport with the audience. The scene with them in bed unknowingly with the evil Salazar was wonderful, as was the comic scene in their Dinosaur costumes, while the carry on with the deck chairs was priceless. The jokes and slapstick went down a treat with everyone and there was the occasional dig at politicians and current events to tickle the adults too. In her role as Princess Pearl, Jennifer Brisbane brought determination and grace, a good match for Sinbad who Claire Coyle ably presented as her protector and as champion of the King. The sword fight was well choreographed. A light and romantic touch was achieved in their well sung duet. John Coe gave us the kindly and easily duped King whose attempts to communicate while deprived of his voice was well performed and frustrated everyone. Sophie Fairgrieve made her mark in the role of Darius, Sinbad’s assistant. Meanwhile Jamie McCarthur epitomised evil in his role of the baddie Salazar, with his deep voice, his calculating mien, and devious plotting. His young (and not so young) audience booed his every entrance and exit sometimes so enthusiastically as to mask the endings of his rhymes. As his sidekicks Fang and Snare, Lucy Andrew and Lynsey Craig created their own nonsense in their inept support of their boss Salazar. Tracy Allan was a spooky Stranger who tested Salazar as well as Sinbad and was instrumental in the former’s downfall.

The whole show was a hit – with its colourful characters, great singing, well played music and colourful costumes. Atmospheric scenes were  created by colourful backcloths and judicious lighting and mention must be made of a very special fluorescent under-the-sea scene, sporting wonderful sea creatures and effective jellyfish. Full of fun and well performed by all, this show lit up the district and set us all in the right mood for Christmas. Thank you all for a splendid evening.

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