Review by Fran Edwards
November 2010
Pantos are fun! Especially when done well. Lots of young enthusiasm, laced with a generous sprinkling of talent, some experienced players and a lot of silliness was the perfect recipe for a fun night out.
Among the experienced players were Mark Bone as Arthur and Ian Doherty as his “beautiful” Queen Guinevere, who worked well together. A pretty Sir Lancelot played by Faith Cahill was paired with Lucy Rawley as Guinevere’s Lady in Waiting, Olivia. There were excellent villans in the shape of Morgana (Adrienne Gorringe) and Mordred (Paul Zechner) and all topped off by a very sage Merlin, played with gravitas and with a beard, by Alastair Collins.
Michaela Phillips who did particularly well as the long suffering Sally was paired with the very competent Russell Byrne(Squirt- Lancelot’s squire) and a lovely couple they made, showing experience beyond their years when it came to handling young audience members.
Then there were the youngsters, Krysten Barnes as Smoulder the Dragon, Caleb Bond as the Page, and Thomas Day as the Big Dragon all deserve a mention, but the cuties in the chorus are too numerous to mention individually by name.
Special comment should be made of the beautiful scenery, painted by many hands but vibrant and very fitting. Jo Allenby and her band of merry costumiers have out done themselves with the array of finery on display.
The audience participated (as it should) and a good time was had by all!
