The Pied Piper

A less performed Frayn original, updated, with a Germanic theme running through, this was a colourful, comical, cheeky trip to Hamelin, an array of great characters, much booing of baddies, tinkling of magic and the saviour troubadour Pippin, piping gruesome rats away forever, doing away with evil and as in true panto style everyone living happily ever after. Add a bit of slapstick comedy, a squirt or two from a water pistol, from which I had a full chest blast, by Dan Putnam Blatter with Brummie accent (well most of the time!!) and his Cockney sidekick Splatter, Sarah Champneys, enjoying herself – perfect pairing.

Backing track music was well synced including jolly Abba music and a terrific upbeat finale from ‘The Greatest Showman’ ending in a colourful bang. New Director Kate produced a great entertainment.  An increased sized cast from usual produced a wonderful chorus of young performers, who were piglets from Dame Helga’s farm, singing and dancing village children and numerous rats. Dame Helga constantly worried about her sausages! Nick Jeal was comfortable in this role looking splendid with flashing boots, glam make-up and colourful hairdos, and was ably supported by sons ‘Silly Billy’ Willie - played by Laura Gale & Harriet Berwick as Hans who has the hots for young Heidi - Sian Richardson in fine voice. Her Burgomeister Father was Ollie Pierce, appearing elegant in his finery, adding some comical asides.  Richard Pierce gave a convincingly strong menacing performance as Sour-Kraut, daunting villain and is master of Chief Rat, Rat-Worst leather clad Pippa Shepherd assisted by her four trusty ratlets Leaky, Squeaky, Beaky and Cheeky. Making sure all ended well after waving Kate’s ‘Blue Peter’ magic wand that miraculously transformed into her real one, Bobby, in her pink gossamer as Fairy Strudel saved the day in rhyme and aplomb.

Naomi Berwick’s colourful A5 programme was easy to read with a Chairman/Director’s welcome, Cast and Crew credits, and looking to next year's 50th Anniversary to celebrate an item written by founder child Jackie Manktelow, who despite being a bit crocked managed the great make-up aided by Harriet Berwick.

Members were set constructors, with Kate the designer.  Side flats were set below the curtains - pink bricks of ‘Rat At Towie’ the other, Kate’s great perspective, long dark sewer that I felt I could walk along – on second thoughts with some of the lavatorial lines perhaps not!  A jolly Germanic Village scene backdrop was well painted. and the interior of Helga’s sausage producing emporium was simple and worked effectively. Space was well utilized with central aisle particularly useful, with even an illuminated river depicted across the front. Lighting and sound, with Ray Hodges and Kate at the helm in their tiny back of the hall box, had a few gremlins but soon discovered the problem. Singing might have benefitted from extra mikes – again good choices with cheery sing-a-alongs, solos, duets and chorus work. Pippa Shepherd not only kept everyone on their toes with well-rehearsed routines but did her best to frighten us with her strong characterising of Rat-Worst.

Lovely bright costumes, effective Germanic touches from hardworking Naomi – corsets, aprons, finery, leathers, noses and tails, whiskers, great lederhosen, headgear and footwear – first class. The Costume Place helped too, but the ‘Miss Piggy’ Dame’s outfit was Naomi’s creation, how appropriate. Piper Pippin, Toby Champneys almost convinced me he was playing, looked quite resplendent in a fine yellow and red tunic complete with ‘Robin Hood’ hat. Storyline was good with a few added up-to-moment asides, and of course plenty of corn, inuendo and in the true nature of panto, the children and adults having a feel-good night out.  Special mention must go to usually unseen Prompt, Sheila, who became quite the star! Tireless input from Kate Gale, her first role as Director, handled with such enthusiasm.  A real team production.

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