The Grinch

The Grinch... a pantomime performed by Waterloo & Crosby Theatre Company at Merchant Taylor’s Boys School, Liverpool Road, Crosby on Saturday 30th November 2024.

This was a first for me... although I’ve seen the film, I’d never seen The Grinch performed on stage. The storyline tells of The Grinch who has been banished from the town of Whoville, but he eventually returns to wreak his revenge. Armed with the ‘Harry Potter Bumper Book of Spells’ and masquerading as Santa Claus, he sets out to cause mayhem and ruin Christmas. Santa enlists the Snow Queen’s help, to save Christmas. However, the Grinch is finally won over by the wide-eyed innocence of a kind young girl and a little help from the Spirit of Christmas. A parody of the famous character created by Dr Seuss, woven into a traditional British-style pantomime.

Production Team ... bringing this panto to stage were Nicci Henshaw (Director), Sarah Henchskelt (Musical Director) and Gia Mulligan (Choreographer). As I said above, this was the first time I’d seen this performed on stage as a panto so the storyline was a little vague, but as soon as the production unfolded all that changed.  Nicci, Sarah and Gia had gathered a really good cast, who, from the start looked interested and involved. The choreography was simple, yet imaginative and set at levels that suited all those involved... which isn’t always easy when you have varied levels of ability, but it looked good...  well done, Gia, good job!  The Direction was good and with well-chosen musical numbers throughout which supported the production well ... so its congrats to Nicci, Sarah and Gia.  

The Cast ... we had a cast of thirty-three, all of whom look happy, engaged and up for the task ahead. They worked well together throughout, all adding their own individual contributions along the way and when this happens, as I’ve said so often before, it is really difficult to start saying that someone was better than someone else when you can see that everyone has given of their best!  BUT, never one to sit on the fence, I will give a few ‘shout outs’ later. So, the cast included Stuart Gray as ‘The Grinch’; Jemima Hargreaves as ‘Pinchit’; Ian Robinson as ‘Nora Good’ (Dame); Nula Hughes as ‘Annie Good’; Mathew Hargreaves as ‘Mayor’; Daniel Housley as ‘Charlie Chuckles’; Helen McLoughlin - ‘Spirit of Christmas’; Will Martin as ‘Santa’; Louise Dearden as ‘Widget’; Grace O’Rourke as ‘The Snow Queen’; Nathan Hesketh as ‘Grimble’ and Libby Wilson who played ‘Polly’.  Dancers Captains: were Jessica Dearden / Georgie Wilson.  Dancers:  Alice Dearden, Olivia Housley, Scarlett Roberts, Emily Wall, Freya Maddocks, Grace Pearce, Jonah Hargreaves, Jennifer Hargreaves... Adult Ensemble: Alex Faulkner, Tracy Vose. Children Ensemble - Lucy Ainscough, Daniel Bagot, Nancy Dickman, Faith Critchley, Chloe Quinn, Krystal Davies, Caitlin Jones, Isabella Jones, Ari Davies, Samuel Dearden and Florence Dowrick. ‘Shout Outs’ where to start... let’s start with our lead Stuart Gray ... ‘The Grinch’ himself!  Stuart’s second show with WCTC and what a change from his first ... ‘Stags and Hens’.  Stuart did really well with this character, suitably evil, but I do think he could have just pushed the evilness a little more, there’s nothing better than a ‘boo or two’... especially when you have such a good rapport with the audience. Good stage presence, Stuart worked really well with my second ‘shout out’ Jemima Hargreaves who took on the role of ‘Pinchit’, ‘The Grinch’s side-kick. Jemima always delivers ... last year as a ’goose’ ... I’ll never forget those legs and the ‘golden egg’ that arrived early, only to have Jemima try and push it back, hilarious ... to this year, taking on the ‘alter ego’ of Charlie Chuckles.  Jemima has a natural ability to create great characters with ease, good stage presence and worked really well with all the cast and in particular with ‘The Grinch’.  ‘Charlie Chuckles’ played by Daniel Housley is my next ‘shout out’. Daniel just oozed confidence from the off! He provided us with another great character; this lad can dance and was very expressive throughout.  Another with stage presence aplenty, good job Daniel. Grace O’Rourke is my next ‘shout out’ ... Grace took on the role of the ‘Snow Queen’ who helps Santa.  Grace looked stunning in a full-length silver glittering dress, another who created a believable character. Good stage presence, confident be very proud Grace.  Last two ‘shout outs’ ware Ian Robinson and his portrayal of ‘Nora Good’, our dame and Will Martin playing ‘Santa’.  Two believable characters, both of who worked their socks off throughout, both having a good rapport with the audience and two more that worked well with the entire cast... well done you two, good job... and well done everyone, this really was a great ‘team effort’!

Staging/Set/Tech... as is the norm here at Waterloo and Crosby... the staging and the set were ‘in house’ created and built, with a great deal of work being carried out by Stage Manager and all-round ‘good egg’ ... Colin Wilson. Colin actually made a very brief but revealing appearance in this production... I’m not totally sure what as, but whatever it was, he was very scanty clad and almost brought the show to a ‘standstill’ ... Colin you need to warn us when this sort of thing is going to happen, people, especially me, need to prepare for such occasions ahahahahaha ... I thought you were a ‘Chippendale’!  Colin has a brilliant team working alongside him ... Naill Quigley, Louise Dearden, Lisa Wall, Ian Robinson, Heather Sinclair, Kim Wilson, Libby Wilson, Jason Sinclair, Robin Leyland, Simon Rice, Jessica Dearden, Vanessa Bagot, Daniel Bagot, Sandra Quigley, Claire Hyams, Paul Hyams and Georgie Wilson... well done each and all, good set which afforded everything needed to allow the panto to flow.  Lighting was good and overseen by Nathaniel, Alex and Jason Sinclair.  We still had a few issues with the Sound, slow sometimes quiet mikes ... but, honestly, I thought the quality and levels were moving in the right direction, be proud Niall Quigley ... not the easiest of tasks, a lot of problem solving involved... but getting there!

Music Accompaniment ... overseen by the ever-present Annie Dickinson (MBE)... great amount of the music was provided by ‘backing tracks.

Wardrobe/Props ... as always excellent costumes and props were used throughout the production. Wardrobe designed and created by Louise Dearden, Clare Hyams, Nicci Henshaw and Lisa Wall.

Chaperones/Matrons... I never let a production go by, where ‘young people’ are involved, without saying a ‘big thank you’ to those selfless people who give up their time freely to ensure that these young people can perform on stage and feel safe in the environment they find themselves in. They aren’t named in the programme, but you know who you are... thank you so much for giving up your time... overseeing the chaperones we had Louise Dearden and Lisa Wall and I again say thank you to you two!

Well done one and all, another successful production, another successful year comes to an end... thank you so much for inviting Susan and I to your panto, thank you for inviting the NODA National President Graham Liverton and his wife and the retiring National President Christine Hunter-Hughes to see your panto, I’m sure I speak for them all, and all those present that evening when I say...  ‘Thoroughly enjoyable’ and if the applause and cheering that greeted the finale is anything to go by... enjoyed by all present!

Stay safe, keep well…
‘Stronger Together’

Jim Briscoe
NODA NW
District 6 Rep

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