The Lambton Worm

Morpeth Pantomime Society this year decided to abandon mainstream panto plots and go for a truly local theme with an excellent script written by the producer Gordon Carr. It was based on the local legend of the ‘Lambton Worm’ and was a thoroughly enjoyable variation, whilst still retaining most of the traditional pantomime features.  There was a really talented line-up in the principal parts all of whom played their characters to the full, engaging audience participation at every opportunity. Special mention must go to the wicked witch ‘Widow Grimscale’, played with cunning evilness and conviction by Shirley Clark, who set the set the scene for a perceived ancient wrong on her family by placing a curse on the ‘Lord of the Manor’, admirably played by Jack Halliday, and his fellow villagers, in the form of a giant worm terrorising its inhabitants.

The show moved swiftly along and inevitably good triumphed over evil in the end, mainly as a result of the valiant efforts of ‘Jonathan’, enthusiastically played by the excellent principal boy Ellie O’brien, helped by others including a very colourful and funny dame, Bob Lyons, and the super comedy duo Ken Ions and Tony Jackson who worked exceptionally well together. King Richard was played amusingly and with authority by Peter Archer. Continuity was provided Thomas Roxby, as ‘Wally’, and he did a good job of encouraging audience involvement. Lewis Gammer was a youthful ‘Wogan the Wizard’ and gave us lots to think about in the form of his mis-guided panto references, and was an interesting alternative to the usual ‘Good Fairy’. Other roles were well played by Gillian Tait, Chris Davies and Amy Hodgson. The worm was fun and controlled extremely well by Harvey Sherpherdson and Seth Golding.

All were supported by a good chorus and the excellent dancers whose routines were slick and very creative ,and in all this was a most enjoyable evening which showed local talent off well. Some hard work had gone into producing the set and props, and It was obvious this was a real team effort from the whole group.

From audience reaction it was obvious that the hard work put in to stage this show was greatly received, and I thoroughly enjoyed the whole evening and meeting the cast, crew and production team. I do hope in the future you are successful in moving on by using live music.

Well done to all involved, and I am looking forward to seeing your next one, and meeting you all again.

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