The Pirates and Pen's Aunts

Writer and set designer Nigel Holmes came up with an interesting story-line of pirates hidden in the relations of the two girls Pen and Norm, and managed to incorporate so many songs about pirates and boats and sailing intertwined into the rival pirates’ adventures with a treasure map.   And Director Cheryl Collings had the action going well with some talented youngsters in the cast, some excellent groupings during the numbers, worked on by M.D. Sharon Jiggins and movement from Annemarie Sterne: altogether a lively presentation by all and most enjoyable: very strong singing from all and an energetic hornpipe included.

At the Tavern, young Pen (Una Laurence) and young Norma (Sophie Lewis) came over well with excellent diction and projection and mischief as they wondered where Aunts Betty (Lesley Dillon) and Flora (Bea Garfield) disappeared to on occasion (could they possibly be pirates), and drove mother Harriet (Lyndsey King) to distraction: all very strong characterisations and acting, song and movement, a really good team keeping the story together.

Fully in charge of ship and kidnap, and with great voice to deliver his numbers, Gerry Robbins obviously relished being Captain Throttle in charge of the Devil’s Pea although not so much in control of either parrot or ‘mother’s phone calls’.   Assisted with some efficiency and vocals by his First Mate Ziget from Lottie Waller, this was the ‘red’ crew of the Devil’s Pea and all worked hard.

On the other side, the ‘blue’ crew from the Mermaid’s Garter, which turned out to be the aunts’ ship, also filled with energy so we enjoyed fights between the two ships, songs, hornpipe, and applauded the youngsters on stage who really filled the space with energy, good projection and many had their chances, in a very lively show.  And not to forget John King, who as well as doing the lighting, managed to be in the crow’s nest as One Eyed Jim.

And the twist in the tale about the great grandfather pirate and the treasure map with the many quoted description (!) meant that we were entertained to the finale (and we totally missed the thunderstorm outside the hall). A good evening for all.

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