The Little Mermaid

How special to be invited to see Grenoside Pantomime group perform their newly written version of The Little Mermaid but also share and witness their 50th year of pantomime productions. A society who exclusively undertake an annual pantomime with company members and families being at the heart of the society. Commitment to one society creates such strength and depth and it seems your society has just that. From stage to props, technical to makeup, costumes to front of house, and I guess lifelong friendships. The original version taken from a fairy tale and written in 1837 by Hans Christian Anderson tells the story of a mermaid desperate to experience life above water and prepared to sacrifice life as a mermaid for the love of a Prince. This adaptation remains close to the original with all the added content of pantomime craziness. The whole production team Tracy Josh, Jasmin, Alison, Mike, Dean ,Lewis and Steve must be credited with the thought, vision and planning of this celebratory production. The innovative projections of past Dames Ross Crowe and Ken Fielding adding a real feel of history and nostalgia as they shared a glass with the current Dame, Phil Wright. As the group reflect on those epic years one cast member involved in this production has witnessed all of them, so my congratulation goes to Sally Fletcher for her years of loyalty, and for all the memories and stories she must remember and hold dear.

The production involves a good number of characters, interspersed with clever scene setter projected prose moving the pantomime along. Act 1 laid out the story involving good and bad, introducing many of the cast and interspersed with some great ensemble pieces from the varying ensemble groups. Coral the fairy of the sea by Jasmin Milner in traditional stage right position. The narrator of rhythming prose moving the story along, clear diction and great scenes with the stage left baddies in the form of Squideous by Stasha Mounjoury the chief baddy along with her two loyal assistants Killer Watt by Kerry Ratcliffe and Short Fuse by Laura Tucker great scenes winding up the audience with all boos and jeers, three very competent performers well delivered. King Neptune by Callum Haigh another well performed father figure role, trying to protect your mermaid daughter but softening as you realise her wish to see another world. Queen Godzilla by Tracy Blackburn,  the boss and your somewhat downtrodden other half King Hercules, depicting one of great height and muscle made even more humorous by the difference of stature. Two great performances by clearly experienced actors. Pearl by Lucy Simpson, the best friend to our Mermaid Marina her confidant and supporter, wonderful character role played well. With your amazing blonde wig I couldn’t help but think of Dolly Parton in 9-5. Well done. Princess Marina by Briony Colton our heroin, performed with poise and ease both as a mermaid, along with cautious steps on land as she explored her new found world. A lovely singing voice and clear diction, showing all aspects of emotions whilst striving for the unknown and how you reacted once you got there, maintaining the silence reactions after your voice was stolen. Some lovely scenes throughout in particular with the dashing Prince William by Megan Pestell with all you would expect of a pantomime prince. The thigh slapping singing and acting, cautious to start but soon falling for our heroin and in true panto style not only collecting the hand but the whole Princess. What a great team Squalk by Kathy Wright and Crabstick by Olivia Blake made, totally contrasting with the clipped English voice of Crabstick to the recently arrived Gull from Birmingham, great accenting. Two well performed roles adding so much humour to the story and involved in plenty.  Jack Dogsbody by Josh Milner, the teller of a thousand jokes with the widest smile, totally convinced that ever one is hilarious !! involved in so much with memorable scene with your Mum,  you certainly know how to hold and audience with buckets of slapstick, a great fun part performed well. Wuffles by Lily Hutchinson a small cameo role played with poise and grace well done.

And then of course you can’t have a pantomime without a man in a dress and Dame Dotty Dogsbody by Phil Wright was all that. Your years of experience shone through with all the antics you portrayed. So many great sketches including the stand out trifle one and the way you chatted and paced around the audience, with you aides, as the chosen ones were creamed. In true style wearing so many crazy fun costumes, your predecessors would be proud of how you continue that Dame skill.

However a good cast requires an equally good ensemble and we were privileged to see three such groups. The Senior cast, The Group 1 dancers and the Group 2 dancers. I really enjoyed that all the groups had their individual numbers to sing and dance to, along with opportunities for the whole ensemble to join together. Brand New Day, Wuffles and the littlies with Rock Lobsters, Girls just wanna have fun and many more. Everyone gave everything with good movement and singing and clearing all enjoying the experience. The music well chosen and even though no band it worked well with backing tracks. Lighting and effects were well thought out giving atmosphere to the piece. I know you had a few mic issues on the opening night but I’m sure they will be sorted now. A lovely array of very cheerful costumes well chosen for each scene.

I was delighted your production had sold so well. Congratulations to Steve Eddison for your in house writing of The Little Mermaid. Thank you to all the unseen members giving their time so freely. Back stage, Front of House, chaperones and the excellent welcome we received.

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