The Monster Panto

I can’t imagine that Bram Stoker and Mary Shelley ever envisaged their characters being involved in a pantomime, but STARS made sure they were in their inimitable way with this production of The Monster Panto. So, yes the subject matter might be slightly unusual, but it still provided a fun, entertaining, pun packed evening’s entertainment. 
The joy of a STARS Pantomime is the way they fully integrate the youngsters of STARBURST with the more experienced performers which, hopefully protects the future of the Society.
At the heart of our story are a traditional principal boy and girl, Prince Ludwig (Caitlin Riley) and Heidi (Eva De Luca), who both gave delightful performances, engaging throughout. There wasn’t really a “good fairy” in the story so to compensate there were two “villains” – Dracula (Dave Collins) and his Grandfather, Grampula (Bernard Wilson). Both of these highly experienced actors had the audience booing them from the off, whilst treating their characters with a comic irreverence.
The comedy was mainly in the hands of Frankie (Leo Mercer), a young man with a great sense of comedy timing who fully understands how to handle a pantomime audience and Dame Dilly (Chris Binns). What can I possibly say about Chris that I haven’t said before? Chris is the definitive Dame, of the Berwick Kaler school of pantomime. His ability to interact with an audience and deliver a bad joke is second to none. 
In the many years I’ve been coming to see STARS, I don’t recall seeing Dave Harris on stage before. I don’t know why based on his hilarious portrayal of the Mad Professor Crrrackpot. Two young men I have seen before, Alex Frank, as Spook, and Dan Whitman, as Bogey, cropped up on and off during the evening and continue to impress. And then we had the precocious girls on the school trip with Dame Dilly – think modern St Trinians and you won’t go far wrong. Each of them maintained their own character throughout and were a joy to watch with their strong stage presence – well done Maisie McKenna, Mia De Luca, Izzy Wade, Lydia Fish and Eleanor Birmingham. The Principal lineup was completed by Andrew Charles, Joan Kay, Elijah Hubbard and Malachy Graham. Julie Birmingham, Finley Graham and Elisabeth Latham-Gonzalez provided support as assorted monsters and bats.

It never ceases to amaze me what the Stage Manager (Janet Poveda) and her set building & props team manage to achieve at the  STARS venue. From a Bavarian hostelry to a gothic castle, nothing seems to phase them. The set was beautifully and appropriately lit by Peter Knowles and his team, with timely and effective sound effects, courtesy of Neil Bradford.

The pantomime was well costumed thanks to Clare Burnside and Margaret Townsley with some amazing and challenging makeup from Judith Smith and Helen Jacklin.

All round congratulations to the production team of Chris Binns and Joan Kay (directors) and Peter Boyes and Sam Boyes (musical directors) for a thoroughly enjoyable Pantomime, which was clearly enjoyed by the capacity audience.

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