Written by Nick Cooper and Paul Cox
Directed by Anthony Wornum, Nick Cooper and Paul Cox
"Congratulations on an excellent pantomime."
"Thank you. That was everything a panto should be... Singing, dancing, jokes, wonderful characters, corny acting, great costumes , etc., etc. I enjoyed it immensely."
“Such a perfect example of delicious amdram, including jumped and missed cues, slipping, swapping accents and a well known plot that you are not quite sure how you're going to get there! Big Brother managed to hold his composure despite clearly needing to laugh his socks off! Loved it.”
A real Christmas cracker of a pantomime. A wonderfully amusing script, written by Cox & Cooper and directed in association with Anthony Wornum, creating an adapted original tale with modern updates, local jokes and satirical references, and with a twist at the end. This was greatly appreciated by sell out audiences, who instantly showed their appreciation with applause, response and full participation in true pantomime tradition.
The simplicity of the settings and skilful use of backdrops, gave focus on the actors and the cast rose to the occasion admirably. The use of music and memorable songs, had the audience singing with gusto. The costumes and make-up were carefully tailored to represent the actual characters portrayed. The minimal use of props produced reactions from the audience, laughter as the wonky trees were lifted on and off stage and the threatening mask on the head of the evil wolf gave voice to the expected cries of - 'He's behind you!'.
So, where does one start in reference to the actors? They all deserve high praise for their dedication to scripted lines and their amusing skill with improvisation when things did not quite go to plan, but hey, this was a pantomime and it merely added to the fun.
The Wicked Queen, played by Sam Taroni, adeptly opened the show and immediately had the audiences booing her off stage.
Snow White, Tania Norman, aptly portrayed the innocence of the Queen's maltreated step-daughter, with only a flash of her temper shown. The entry of the King, Mark Galliver, attired Elvis fashion, quite literally, gave rise to gusts of laughter.
Dominic Clifford portrayed the bumbling, mild and love-struck, Scottish (by accent), huntsman. Prince Smarming (Dan Ryan), amusingly represented the vanity of physical obsession, stroking his false abs and flashing his dazzling white teeth.
As the Oddfellows returned to their cottage in the woods, we were introduced to the array of disparate characters representative of well known celebrities led by Big Brother (Dan Cox), a dour personality but of excellent comic delivery, the inebriated Pasty (Julia Halls), country Somerset bashful yokel Scrumpy (Jon Norman), the substance-altered Dylan (Nick Cooper), in direct contrast with tennis racket-wielding, Sporty (Emma Thornley), and the last resident of the cottage, Punny' the word and pun-delivering Peter Cox.
Recognise anyone famous? Rob Good played the confused, idiotic, but determined-to-perform, Aladdin, who was continually told by the audience, to 'Get Off'.
The entire story was moved along with rhyming panache by the Narrator, Paul Cox.
None of this is possible without the support of the many unseen, hidden, but so necessary roles, both backstage and off stage. A huge thank you should be given to these often unrecognised individuals, who all make up the team of The Medstead Players.
[JHH]
Cast:
Wicked Queeen - Sam Taroni
The King - Mark Galliver
Snow White - Tania Norman
Royal Huntsman - Dominic Clifford
Prince Smarming - Dan Ryan
Big Brother - Dan Cox
Pasty - Julia Halls
Scrumpy - Jon Norman
Dylan - Nick Cooper
Sporty - Emma Thornley
Punny - Peter Cox
Aladdin - Rob Good
Narrator - Paul Cox