17th February 2012

HONITON: Honiton Pantomime Society delights

Review By Philip Evans

THE do or die exploits of Robin Hood and his Merry Men provide one of the most endearing of folklore tales - swashbuckling hero versus evil sheriff, tailor-made for pantomime.

Throw in a couple of cute kids who are saved by the good fairy and “Babes In The Wood” offers up all the ingredients of a successful family show.

Honiton Pantomime Society, having recently celebrated its 25th anniversary, added to their growing reputation with their version of this popular storyline at Honiton Community College this week.

With a cast of more than 40, the society made good use of the restricted stage facilities at the college, using the auditorium to maximum effect by taking the action into the crowd.

The opening number, Robbie Williams’ “Let Me Entertain You” set the scene - and entertain they certainly did in a fast moving, energetic performance, which had the audience in fits of laughter throughout.

The show got off to a foot-tapping start with a topical touch when an Olympic Torch was carried onto the stage as part of the opening number.

Strong performances from all the principal players, backed by some excellent chorus work and delightful dance scenes, were evident from the time the curtain went up to the closing number, a rousing rendition of “Mr Blue Sky” after an hilarious audience participation community song.

The show proved to be a personal triumph for Barry Simmonds, who took the part of the dame, “Nurse Jemima Jollop”, following in the footsteps of the society’s popular Max Pipe.

Outlandishly dressed in true pantomime dame fashion, with make-up which owed more to Black and Decker than Givenchy, he had all the chaps in the audience quivering for fear of being singled out for an excruciating lap-sitting episode.

The role of “Sir Silas Skinflint”, the evil Sheriff of Nottingham, was played with great confidence by Alex Jackson who milked the very most in vitriol from the hissing crowd, adding greatly to the fun of the evening, and excelling in his duet “She Needs A Hero” with “Nurse Jemima”.

Much of the humour came from the Sheriff’s two hapless and hopeless henchman, “Floggem” and “Whippem”, played with great gusto by Lou Pottinger and Shaun Bonetta. They gave the impression that the longer the show went on the more they enjoyed themselves and they managed to transmit that enjoyment across the footlights in no small measure.

Their “If I Were Rich And Famous” duet delivered with perfect timing. Classic panto slapstick.

Hero of the proceedings, “Robin Hood” was portrayed with just the right measure of bravado and charm by Beth Hibbert, combining well with Beth Sillitoe as “Maid Marion”. Their duet “Songbird” proved to be one of the musical highlights of the show.

All good pantos have an “ah” factor and this came in bucketloads from Jaya Foster and Amelia Hibbert in the role of the two babes - “Jack and Jill”, both portrayed with a maturity beyond their years, faultless in dialogue and with a real stage presence.

No pantomime worth its salt is complete without a conniving witch and in Heather Eardley, who played “Nell Nightshade”, came an old hag with a cackle to end all cackles. By contrast, Tracey Bonetta was charm itself as the sweet “Greenwillow” fairy.

Good support also came from Lisa Campbell (ghost), Abi Morris (skeleton) and Emily Miller whose “Headless” costumes prompted many admiring gasps from the audience.

Robin Hood’s merry men were played by Barbara Simmonds, Lewis Campbell, Laura Withrington and Dave Pickerell.

Director Jenny Allen and her assistant Ellie Cummings deserve credit for staging a thoroughly entertaining evening, with some excellent chorus support and stunning costumes.

A word of praise also for choreographer Jaime Crudge whose dancers added greatly to the spectacle.

CHORUS:

Dave Pickerell, Emily Miller, Barbara Simmonds, Emma Bishop, Sam Page, Jerry Holt, Ann Reed, Sandra Bryant, Laura Withrington, Catlin Russell, Luisa Neuner, Sarah Pottinger, Lewis Campbell and Ben Mason.

DANCERS:

Jaime Crudge, Sam Maddox, Chloe Pottinger, Lauren Craig, Zoe Kidson, Abi Morris, Lewis Campbell and Ben Mason.

BAND:

Catherine Warren (keyboard), Chris Wightman (guitar/bass), Steve Pike (percussion) and Emily Miller (rehearsal pianist).

BEHIND THE SCENES:

Director – Jenny Allen; Assistant Director – Ellie Cummings; Choreographer – Jaime Crudge; Prompt – Ellie Cummings; Backstage – Andy Pottinger (stage manager); Stage Hands – John Manley, John Brown, Phil Wall, Kyle Bonetta-Martin, Chris Davies, Richard Allen, Scott Bastin; Set Design – Barbara Simmonds; Set Production – Barry Simmonds, Dave Pickerell, Janet Costa Brennan, John Brown, John Manley, Chloe Pottinger, Sarah Pottinger, Lou Pottinger, Andy Pottinger, Tracey Bonetta, Shaun Bonetta, Jenny Allen, Beth Hibbert, Alex Jackson; Lights – Nick Skinner; Sound – Grant Miller and David Botsford; Costume Mistress – Karen Wilson; Costume Ladies – Jenny Bishop, Barbara Manley, Barbara Simmonds, Mally Pickerell, Janet Wood; Make-up – Rachel Rew and Jo Coles; Props – Richard Maddox; Front of House – Jean Bell, Janet Costa-Brennan, Jackie Ford, Margaret Jarman, Jenny Holt, Barbara Poulton, Roz Withrington; Programme – Alex Jackson and Shain Bonetta; Photography – Lewis Gillingham; Publicity – Dave Pickerell and Alex Jackson; Ticket Selling – The Honiton Toy Shop; Chaperones - Karen Wilson, Mally Pickerell, Jenny Holt, Di Wall, Phil Wall, Rachel Rew, Jo Coles, Val Lloyd, Lou Pottinger, Rosemary Binmore, Jenny Allen, Suzy Salter, Sandra Bryant, Tracey Bonetta, Barry Simmonds, Jenny Bishop, Dave Pickerell, Barbara Simmonds.

PICTURE 1: SOME of the stars of this year’s pantomime

PICTURE 2: Jack and Jill Jaya Foster and Amelia Hibbert

PICTURE 3 & 4: THE cast of “Babes in the Wood”