The Pied Piper

With a new writer and Director, Will Osborne, I was pleased to be back at Blakeney for their latest entertaining pantomime offering. Always community theatre at its best at this venue and what looked like an almost full house, despite the very cold weather for opening night.

The set consisted of the German town of Hamelin, very well painted backdrops of the town and its buildings. Attention had been given to the style of the town to add to the overall feeling of where the show was set. This interchanged throughout the show to The Mayor’s home, and then deep into the surrounding woods, including a superbly painted Gingerbread Cottage. Costumes were also very good, as well and lighting and sound.

The story was cleverly scripted so that the Pied Piper was working with the rats to extract more revenue from the town. I also liked some of the very politically up to date jokes around “Fiscal Black Holes” etc, tied in with the traditional story where the town refuses to pay the Pied Piper and he lures the children away from the town.

The band, consisting of Siobhan Wiese on Piano, Terry Bunting on Guitar, Andy Standing on Drums, and Jerry Cox on Bass, sounded great, especially during the number “Won’t Get Fooled Again”.

This was an all-adult cast, with the Rats doubling up as the Children of the town-Jennie Blowers, as Chief Rat, Jane Temple, Jane Stewart, Michelle Cobbett and Jess Daynes were very busy. I really enjoyed the mischievousness of the Rats, reacting and giggling in every scene, and we were also treated to a tap routine by them.

As the Pied Piper, I liked Iain Mawson’s dry sense of humour and touch of grumpiness with the job he has.

Roger Combe, as the mayor, and Peter Franklin, as his wife in the dame role, worked very well together, with good comedy rapport. I particularly enjoyed the opening of Act 2 when they were revolved around in their bed by the cast during the opening number of Act 2. Harriet Duncan, as their daughter, was on fine form when her “mother” was protective of her when meeting Karl, a “a poet.” Played by Finlay Newton, Karl was cleverly portrayed as the eternal student who would likely struggle to get a proper job.

The supporting cast, Martyn Scott as Ludwig, Dave Buckey as the General, Morag Lloyd as the Alderwoman, Erica Roch as the Evil Figure, Brandon Harmer as Derek, and Sam Duncan as Aunty Bo, provided some very nice moments in their characterisations. Poor Derek had to carry Aunty Bo (almost as nasty as the Evil Figure) by piggyback across the stage. Ludwig’s dance moves were very entertaining. All provided good vocals in the numerous company numbers, this was a very enjoyable company show.

Congratulations to Will Osborne on a very successful debut.

 

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