Treasure Island

It makes a refreshing change to see a pantomime based on something different. Everyone knows the story of Treasure Island but I wondered if it was pantomime material.  Well there was no need to worry on that score.  This script written by Ben Crocker was a winner in every respect.  As always, the set was cleverly arranged to make the most use of a number of small areas and the props were very imaginative. The costumes were colourful and brilliantly thought out, being incredibly varied, and the make-up all added hugely to the humour of the whole production. The singing was well performed by the principals adequately supported by the chorus whose dancing was simple and obviously well rehearsed.  It is difficult to pick out the stars of this particular production as there were so many excellent performances from so many members of the company.

In my opinion pantomime is at its best in a village hall with many of the local people involved and many local residents in the audience. They come prepared to be entertained and Lancing certainly did that for them. However it is also very important that the show is well staged, the dialogue learnt and the cast acting their characters with conviction and again Lancing came up trumps.  On the whole the singing was good, and the music well chosen with plenty of variety but there is no doubt that live music was sadly missed which makes an enormous difference.  The lighting worked well for the different scenes and the scenery was simple and colourful. The choice of script was excellent being highly amusing and a number of ‘in house’ comments gave the locals a few extra laughs.

Without a doubt the star of this pantomime was Polly the parrot superbly played by Sue Duncan. She was outstanding causing huge merriment in the audience every time she came on stage. Carolyn Cumber as Jim Hawkins and Lorelei Knopf as Jenny Trelawny were also well cast as the hero and his girl, giving good performances, well supported by Alison Lake, Jim’s mum, the dame and Derek Ost, Jenny’s dad, the Squire. All the other principals gave convincing and well prepared performances, especially Steven Knopf as Long John Silver who acted very well being the leader of the cut throat gang of pirates. The group of youngsters from The Hollis School of Dance gave their usual enthusiastic support to this talented society.

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