Treasure Island the Panto

A first for the Pepperpot Players, this show had all the characters from the novel Treasure Island, with its adventures on the high seas, buried treasure and the infamous Long John Silver, - but had obviously been ‘pantoed’ up to within an inch of its life!

In fact, Long John Silver is the first to appear with his young crew. Matt Carter suitably dressed in foreboding black, gruff and evil in his demeanour soon had the audience reacting and his characterisation was very well played. The first company number in The Benbow Inn ‘Shut Up and Raise Your Glass’ was good. The Inn was run by Henrietta Hawkins and she was played with great presence by Ben Wilson who quickly established a rapport with the audience.  The audience was invited to engage in a number of responses to some funny catch phrases. I don’t think I have heard so many different opportunities for audience participation and not one for those with a poor short- term memory! But this really got the audience involved throughout.

Our romantic heroes, Jim Hawkins (Jude Sanderson) and Maggie Trelawney (Jess Crook) made a dashing pair and their early duet ‘What You Mean To Me’ was very nice indeed. Maggie’s father Squire Trelawney was well played by Tim Wilson, but too simple and trusting when it came to recruiting the evil Long John Silver and his crew for his ship ‘The Hispaniola’, of which his ownership we were often reminded! All the other main characters were well cast; Derek Gale as Doctor Livesey with some good comedy timing well delivered to the audience, Lucy Tedds and Penny Sant as a rather useless but amusing duo Fore and Aft, Emma Diamond a strong presence with clear dialogue as Captain Smollett and Chris Kislak excelling in several characters (Billy Bones, Sal and Benn Gunn).

I enjoyed the selection of musical numbers, including the opportunity to include some sea shanties. Highlights included Henrietta (Ben) reminding us of all that could be done on her own, (‘Flowers’),  ‘We Saw The Sea’ in the Quayside scene and to close Act 1 ‘Bad Moon Rising’.

Act 2 opened with a good opening number ‘Treasure’ and no good panto should be without a ghost routine, this time with Captain Flint’s Ghost (Andrew Westwood). ‘It’s My Life’ sung by Jim (Jude)  included a very funny touch of bringing on a large fan so that Jude’s hair could fly with dramatic effect! Maggie’s ‘Fight Song’ was very strong as was the company number ‘Agadoo’ and in this scene Ted Badham spoke up well as Chief Zumba. The show closed with ‘No Hopers, Jokers & Rogues' from The Fisherman’s Friends and prior to the finale the audience sang ‘Drunken Sailor’.

All remaining roles gave good support including Andy Evans as Mr Arrow, Phoebe Calvert (Blind Pew), Juno Calvert (Hands),  Maisie Quinn (Merry), Indiah Hanks (Morgan), Madi Hanks (Redruth) Mattie Andrews (Gray) and Ann Stevens (Sue). These were joined by Villagers and Islanders in some well-choreographed numbers, well supported by the band, good quality costumes and sound, and a well-constructed set.  Director Karen Evans, MD Alex Jackson and the rest of the creative team deserve to be pleased with the overall result and I look forward to ‘Smokey Joes Café’ later this year.

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