Where’s Father Christmas? A Santa-Mime Adventure

Snaith and Cowick Drama Group performed an original pantomime for their January production.  Where’s Father Christmas?  was a wonderful romp through a Christmas themed story with some exciting adventures along the way.  The story starts on Christmas Eve and there is trouble at the North Pole HQ.  Dame Dolly and a group of very eccentric (and cleverly named) elves can’t find Santa.  In fact he has been kidnapped by Jack Frost and his hench-men Slush and Sleet.  Dolly and the elves set out to find Father Christmas at all costs because without him how will all the presents be delivered on time? 

The elf cast were well assembled and everyone contributed by seeking to make their elf character a little unique.  Leading the elves with a confident performance was John Clarke as Jotter Notedown – Clarke helped to set the scene and ensure that the organisation was working well.  Carol Singer (Emma Webb) was a great character with her tuneful contributions. Leah Standing as Cookie Cutter and Melissa Sykes as Candy Cane were a cheerful presence, supporting on many of the scenes.  I particularly enjoyed The Reindeer Stables scene in Act 2 featuring James Mitchell (Mucka Stallout), Lacey Brook (Greaser Sleighrunner) and Liam Tupling (Ryder Nightflight) – very entertaining.  Other elves included Gracie Emerson as Izzy Ere, Phoebe Roberts as Teddy Cuddler, Zach Langton as Rolla Highscore, Yolanda Morrill-Vale as Izzy Helpin, Vikki Barron as Izzy Eckerslike, Harry Langton as Willy Maykitt, Anni Bowmer as Betty Wont, Olivia Morris as Tapper Rhythm, Jessica Darley as Shuffler Roundafloor, Caitlyn O’Sullivan as Jazz hands and Sarah Clarke as Breaker Beatdown – a list that really needs reading out loud.  Singing to recorded tracks the cast did a great job to dance and entertain us with songs new and old and many wonderful Christmas tunes. 

Whilst there was no love interest or Principal Boy and Girl the panto did have its own brand of good and evil with Lynn Tupling playing the Fairy Mary Christmas and trying her best to bring joy and sweetness amongst the challenging situations.  Her wicked counterpart was Steve Brewis as Jack Frost, who along with his side-kicks Sleet (Alvaro Morrill-Vale) and Slush (Oliver Langton) were keen to keep the joy of Christmas at bay.  The dual role of Nipper Brandy and Santa Klaus were played by Kris Evans.

Steve Boyce was the larger-than-life character, Dame Dolly Claus, worried about her lost husband but still able to put on  a smile and lead several of the numbers to great effect.  To give the story a local feel a character called Declan Halls is introduced, played by Harvey Egerton, Declan is a lonely little boy, from Snaith, living with his mean Aunt.   Declan isn’t aware, but his name is at the top of the nice list, and he is recruited to help find Father Christmas.  Harvey played this part wonderfully – he brought a genuine sense of warmth to the character and had a strong stage presence and great delivery. 

The costumes were very good with each individual ‘pair’ of elves having well made costumes, often suiting their character.  Jack Frost and his cronies – looked perfect in their silvery blue ensembles and Fairy Mary Christmas looked like she’d just jumped from the top of the Christmas tree in her elegant white gown.  However the show was stolen by the stunning costumes and accessories of Dame Dolly.  With pristine wigs, boots and jewellery to accentuate the many stunning costumes, Dolly must be amongst the best dressed Dames on the amateur stage.    The dames costumes are made by the Dame (Steve Boyce) and a huge amount of applause must be given for the colourful, creative, inventive designs which are perfect for each scene.

The script offered many opportunities for audience participation – which everyone loved.  There were the familiar features of a Snaith and Cowick Panto which are always met with a resounding cheer.  The set and props worked well and the single fixed structure allowed for the scenes to be changed quickly which helped to keep the pace. Enhanced by a star cloth the set looked great for this production.  Lighting and sound was strong and the stage crew worked well to add extra stage furniture when needed. 

Sincere congratulations to the Production Team, Committee, Cast and Crew at Snaith and Cowick Drama Group for a very entertaining afternoon.

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