Treasure Island The Pantomime

Ben Crocker’s superb script takes the original story of Treasure Island and adds in all the panto elements we know and love and tops it off by cunningly involving the redoubtable ladies of the Smuggler’s Cove WI.

As the curtains opened, we were greeted by the most colourful and well produced set, designed by Director Lesley Preedy, and built by Stage Manager Jeremy Clephan. The sets and props (Susie Fellows and Vonne Clephan) used throughout the show were to the same high standard. Scene changes were achieved very smoothly and discretely by the SM and his efficient crew.

Costumes were bright, colourful and well-fitting, thanks to Brenda Austin and her team of talented seamstresses. I particularly liked the trimmings in Suffragette colours that adorned the ladies’ pirate costumes – a thoughtful touch.  The costumes were complimented by Lesley Norster’s talents with hair and makeup, while lighting (Charlie Holland) and sound (Andrew Fost) were excellent too.

Director Lesley Preedy has somehow managed to assemble a huge cast of familiar and new faces, moulding them into a cohesive unit that gave us a wonderful show. Mike Clay was a wonderfully relaxed Dame, Mrs Hawkins, with a great walk. Emily Singleton as her son Jim made the character nicely gutsy and thigh-slapping, while Molly Dyer as his love interest Jenny Trelawney, was the perfect counterpart, very feminine, sparky and brave. Mike Rich was suitably vague as the rather dim Squire Trelawney, his eyes lighting up at the mention of spotted dick or cakes. Talking of cakes, Mrs Hawkins’ cake making ‘slosh’ scene was a great bit of slapstick humour that is so often omitted because of the mess it makes. I loved it!

Patric Howe was the perfect Long John Silver, coming straight from our memories of the original book. His powerful voice and great facial expressions commanded both the stage and his motley band of pirates. Roger Minors was every inch the villainous Seadog Sam who worked together well with Stanley Sealey, who portrayed confidence and style well beyond his years as Seaweed Stan. You would never guess it was his first principal role. Liam Grey as Blood Boiler and Roy Phillips as Gizzard Slitter certainly lived up to their horrific names, while Danny Jeffs played The Fridge so dim the light had gone out and you couldn’t help liking him! One of the highlights of the show for me was Nicky Cresswell as Polly the parrot, lots of squawking and fluttering, and constantly trying to get onto Long John Silver’s shoulder - priceless!

The ladies of the WI were a force to be reckoned with, not least their leader Mrs Henderson, played in a very forthright and commanding manner by Ria Wilson. Their fellows were all nicely individual characters, too numerous for me to mention them all, but I must praise Jane Foster (Miss Normington) for her splendid acting – totally involved in every scene, especially pulling up the anchor!

The principals received great support from the rest of the cast and chorus, and especially the youngsters playing the Powder Monkeys and the Crabs – you looked like you were all enjoying every minute! Also, I must praise Anoushka Lee for drumming so confidently and in time. Singing throughout, both solo and chorus, was to a very high standard and Caroline Powell’s sparkling choreography was well executed. It was wonderful to hear a live band: Peter Fellows, David Powell and John Parkinson, hidden away behind their screens, making a great sound.

This panto was a madcap, laugh a minute, rollicking pirate adventure from start to finish. It was a very polished performance, and you could sense that everyone involved was dedicated to making this a great show that families could enjoy. Listening to the enthusiastic audience interactions and looking at the smiles on people’s faces as they left the hall – you were very successful! Thank you for such a heartwarming and enjoyable evening’s entertainment.

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