Treasure Island

It's December so it must be Panto time!  And what better way to beat the snow and ice than to be transported to a world filled with pirates, danger and lively characters.

The choice of Treasure Island as a pantomime for this group was a tricky one - after all, the original story, by Robert Louis Stevenson, of young Jim Hawkins finding a treasure map in a seaman's trunk, was quite dark. The pirate, Long John Silver tries to befriend Jim, but with mutiny on his mind, Jim and his shipmates are in great danger. Alan Frayn, the writer of this pantomime, has given the story a comic edge and some one-liners sprinkled in the dialogue, taking Jim on his quest to outwit Long John Silver and find the buried treasure. This group are truly family-based, not only on stage but amongst the audience and this is shown by the verve and happiness they put into their productions.

The production was sensitively directed by Erin Ocsko', working on a very small stage, she managed not to make it appear crowded and she had drilled her cast very well - I could tell there was a lot of rehearsal time spent on the staging. Joanne Jackson, as Musical Director, managed to mix shanty songs with modern musical numbers and these also worked very well. I understand that their rehearsal pianist, Robert Forbes, had encouraged some good harmony work in the cast and this came over effectively. As always, Lynne Hill, together with Lucy Sharp, gave the cast some very effective dance steps, - again, this was all well rehearsed and it does all make a difference. 

The small cast gave their all in the performance - Amelia Jackson, as Jim, put over an assured characterisation with excellent vocal work - I was so pleased to see how she had matured in performance. Michael Arnold, as Jim's Mother, Dame Rosie Bloom, worked well in spite of the rather subdued audience - Michael, don't be afraid to be bigger in performance, it's all there and you did a great job!  Neil Duff played the Squire, with notable aplomb, and Rebecca Haigh as Penny, his daughter and Jim's love interest, was so sweet with a clear singing voice. Jonny Fallas, as Long John Silver, gave a suitable 'nasty' performance - he really looked the part!  Jane Archdale, as Captain Mullet, nicely portrayed a 'bossy boots' character - she should apply to work on a cruise liner, she would do well!  Shipmates of Long John Silver were Chris White as Billy Barnacle; Graham Oxtoby as Blind Ali; Lynne Hill as Sea-Snake Sally; Daniel Arnold as Barmy Ben and Isabelle Rose as Potty Patsy - these were all comedy roles and played very well individually and as a group. Elaine McAleese was the Spirit of the Seas, glamorous and charming as always. They were suppported by Young Pirates (Jack Wright, Manina Fallas and Erin Smith) and an enthusiastic chorus (Barbara Hawksworth, Val Johnson, Annette Roe, Isabelle Roe, Abbie Wright and Jack Wright). 

Richard Sharp produced this pantomime and had drawn around hm a willing band of volunteers who built the sets, very nicely done; sorted the costumes and did all the hard work that makes for a successful show - without whom, the show couldn't go on! 

My sincere congratulations to you all - for your hard work and Community commitment for all the good folk of Garforth!

All in all, this was a lovely, homely pantomime which lifted the spirits and had us humming Christmas tunes all the way home!

My sincere congratulations to you all - for all your hard work and community commitment for all the good folk of Garforth!

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