Witch Way To Coz

Is early October too soon for a pantomime?  Oh no it’s not!  This first panto of the season was adult in content and provided a light hearted look at the stalwarts of the panto genre.   All the characters were there, if a little changed, maybe to protect the innocent!

The show was full of puns and innuendos from the character’s names; for example, George Ernest Knee (G.E.Knee) the wonderfully camp genie played by Wayne Prince.  Puss In Boats, yes BOATS, a cat dressed as a sailor, played with great style and energy by Louise Alsop.   Dean Rands gave a delightful performance as Jack Beansprout, the hero.   Jill Snelling was the wonderfully evil (but likeable) Edna Twankey; Luke Coldham gave a great performance as the Dame, his cockney rhyming speech was a Tour de Force!   Jenny Lee played all three of the little pigs and the use of different hats made it fun to watch.   Martyn Williams played the Big Bad Wolf and I would really have liked to see more of his character, if only to admire the makeup and wig!    Nicole Povey (Canderella) Michael McFarlane (PC Percy Pratt) Colin Gibbons (horse’s rear and other parts) Jim Wilkinson (Pete) and Pauline Crowhurst (Belinda) completed the cast with Director Trevor Povey stepping in to take the part of Eddie Lizard (the wonderful Wizard of Coz).

The script was chock full of innuendos and panto stalwarts; and, although they were not overplayed, I did find a couple of the scenes in the first half overlong, presumably to cram in as much as possible.  Sometimes less is best and perhaps some of the dialogue could have been saved for the next panto, which Thurrock Courts Players really must do, oh yes they should!

Costumes were excellent, very fresh and well thought out.  Paul Lazell’s scenery was outstanding and works really well in this theatre with its restrictions.  The music arranged and provided by Luke Coldham was cleverly selected and I loved the sing-a-long, with its pun filled take on the Mary Poppins classic, aptly titled Supercreamyfragrantlipstick.  It was just a shame that the song board was in semi darkness so some of us could not read the words.  I spent the whole journey home trying to remember them!

All in all a very successful foray into pantomime for Thurrock Courts Players, I think they had as much fun doing it as we did watching it. Panto should be a permanent addition to the Players season!

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