Sinbad and the Dark Crystal

This was an excellent piece of home-grown entertainment, written and directed by one of the members, Ryan Stocks, who also took a sizeable part and designed both the set and the sound.  All credit to him too for devising his own story rather than relying on the more common pantomime tales, allowing the story to move from desert to under the sea, the jungle and back home for the obligatory happy ending.  All the traditional features of the genre were there – a mischievous villain, a cheeky dame intent on furthering a relationship with a member of the audience and much more audience participation besides.  That some of the libretto was in rhyme was another treat.

As ever the group used a sizeable children’s chorus with Tim Bodey given additional work as a rather talkative crab.  There was also an assured and confident performance from Lucas Fawcett, another of the younger members, providing good support for Lydia McCudden as Sinbad.  Mention must also be made of the excellent costumes, a wide variety being necessary to fit the changes of scene.

If I have any criticism it is that the musical backing tracks and sound effects occasionally drowned the singers, even though they wore the now rather ubiquitous head sets and sometimes held a hand microphone.  There was also a rather unnatural tendency for a number of the performers to wander whilst delivering their lines. That’s not usual when you chat to a friend in the street or even when you see Eric and Ernie in front of the tabs.  Perhaps a few nerves would explain this and more experience will prevent this in future.

These are minor grumbles though, in the Group’s 35th production which again will no doubt have raised a considerable sum for local charities.

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