The Prince and the Pasty

This is the first time I have attended your pantomime and your response was very welcoming. As often with local groups, it was great to see you were well supported by an enthusiastic audience who were fully involved.

Your chairman took time to give me a background to the group and introduced me to Peter Allen, who took me to a small room which looked like mission control. This was the nerve centre of the background, sound and lighting and Peter and Roy Stephens made all the magic happen with the help of three computers and a mixer desk. I can honestly say I have never seen such a technically savvy crew. It was great to hear how you had been helped by the BBC to use back projection and to see it working.

The stage was one level, simply covered with black cloths, with entrances stage right and left and steps down to the auditorium. There was a hand-pulled curtain approximately a third of the way up the stage, which allowed backstage to set other scenes while there was action on the stage.  The props were appropriate and well used by those on stage.

The scenes were lit carefully and the strobe sequence worked appropriately in the chase. The sound was clear and at expected levels. I know that Peter explained to me that you make the children responsible for their own equipment, which is a great learning technique, but I did notice that some of them played with their radio mics, making them crackle. I did wonder, as you have such talented young people in your cast, if it might be an idea to spend some time on voice projection so they learn to develop their voices and use this skill as they progress and not rely on the equipment.

The back projection enhanced all the scenes from closed circuit tv screens, through the palace, a pasty shop and special effects. I particularly enjoyed the torchlight sequence and the walkdown.

The original scriptwriting by Alex Bailey and the multi-skilled Ruth Simpson was easy to follow. It contained some great local references, which the audience picked up on.

The show was opened by two beautifully attired Fairy Godmothers, Celeste and Gisele, whose clear diction explained the story and popped up occasionally to ensure we were following the action. They appeared to read some of the text from silver books, which was fine, but I did find the pink sheets rather distracting; although I do understand coloured sheets are required by some to aid reading. Maybe it would have helped if the book was more upright. I thought that using their alter egos throughout the show to ensure a positive outcome was a superb twist.

They pulled the curtain to reveal the baddies in the story, Aunt Ginny and Uncle Tarquin. They played their parts with conviction, delivered their lines clearly and had great timing with the corny jokes. Their costumes clearly delineated them as the upper crust who ruled their staff at Dreggs (inspired name) with a rod of iron and watched all their movements on the cctv. We learnt from them the dastardly plot of removing one of the staples of Cornish life, the pasty.

Chas and Dave, their accomplices, had faith that they could carry out the Aunt and Uncle’s plan, which was to stop the pasty ingredients from entering Cornwall. They spoke clearly and interacted well together. I enjoyed the use of Cornish colloquialism to try and ingratiate themselves with the locals.

The story moved to the palace and we met Prince Michael who was finding it hard to manage without his pasties. He looked the part and, although he appeared a little nervous at the beginning, grew in confidence. He spoke clearly, interacted well with those in the palace and developed a believable relationship with Maddie. Gisele the cat acted well and kept her character throughout. An authoritarian Major Columb, who gave an outstanding performance, and Nan Pean, who was obviously in control at the palace.  The Chinese person may have had a smaller role but her delivery was good.

Two special agents were brought in to help solve the mystery of the disappearing supplies.  Co was a 007 character and what a performance: the costume and stance were correct, her delivery was dramatic, every word was heard. I know Barbara Broccoli says there will never be a female Bond - maybe you should have asked her along to your show! Gestive enactment was just as powerful in a more feminine way. Her costume was splendid down to the beret, she kept her accent up throughout the evening and her mispronunciations were impressive. If anyone was looking to cast Michelle, they wouldn’t need to look any further.  The interaction between these two was brilliant.

We were introduced to members of the cast from Penpont Pastries, the only bakery still producing pasties in Cornwall. The baker Maddie was downtrodden, hard working and put upon by her sisters. Her character was brought to life by this young actor, her costume was just right and she acted and sang with conviction. It was great to see her win the day and save her Prince in the end. I shall think of her and the Prince every time I crimp a pasty. A brilliant portrayal. Celeste the mouse may have been played by one of your younger members but she looked the part and was confident of her words, which she delivered with assurance. One little point for development: remember where the audience are and try positioning yourself on stage at an angle so, even though you are interacting with another member of the cast, your voice will travel towards them. Chelsea and Victoria then erupted onto the stage, two totally over the top characters played with aplomb by the young ladies. Their costumes and make up were outlandish, as expected for ugly sisters. They both looked as if they were having a blast portraying the sisters who were out to get the Prince. They were animated when they spoke and sang and moved well, congratulations. 

I understand from your chairman that you had members of the cast from the age of four on stage and this was evident when we met the factory workers. The two younger members had obviously been well drilled because they knew all their words and moves. They were aided ably by the adult members.

This was a great pantomime which contained a variety of songs, some simple movement and well fitting costumes.  It had some of the first night glitches which you often expect but they didn’t detract from the story which was told and sung with joy by the members of your cast. It was advertised as `A Local Panto for Local People’ and indeed it was. The audience had a wonderful time laughing at the local references, singing along, boo and hissing and some even took part in the art work on stage.

One final point: it was great to see that your information board on the wall had the NODA magazine and details about your group; a useful way of promoting your company.

Thank you so much for a lovely evening’s entertainment. Many congratulations to all your members.

 

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