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Red Riding Hood
by Tina and Robert Burbidge Pantomime February 2007
Directed by Vicky Burden Lots
of fun at the panto! Take a traditional fairy story, add a
few nursery rhyme characters and some songs and put it all into the versatile
and imaginative hands of the Somborne Players and the result can only be a
very enjoyable evening’s entertainment. This year’s choice of pantomime was
Red Riding Hood, written by Tina and Robert Burbidge and superbly directed by
Vicky Burden. As always, the production was enhanced
by the attractive and effective set designs of Keith Chapman, the sound
effects of Bill Sutton and the lighting by Andrew Flanagan and Trevor Ryan. Catherine Cartwright was a suitably
demure Little Red. Alan Glynne Jones made a splendidly colourful and
flamboyant dame in the character of Red’s mother, Dame Robyn Hood. The wolf, played by Vanessa Sharpe, was
surely the most elegantly dressed wolf to grace a pantomime stage. He adopted
various disguises in an attempt to capture the hapless heroine. He was
hampered by the fact that the good fairy, in the person of Pollyann Monk, had
cast a spell on him so that he could only speak in rhyme – a sure sign in
fairyland that the speaker is up to no good. The three little pigs, who were forced
to work as builders for the wolf, were brilliantly played by David Haydon,
Simon Harwood and Sue Holligan (who was also the producer for the play).
Nigel Coleman was the lugubrious woodcutter whose attempts to ensure that son
Billy, played by Rebecca Rickard, was not distracted from work by the village
girls were foiled when Billy and Red inevitably fell in love. Special mention must be made of the
younger members of the cast who contributed so much to the success of the
production. From their contribution it is clear that the Somborne Players are
destined to be around for some time! Alexa and Harriet Gandy were superb as
Jack and Jill, building up a wonderful rapport with the audience to whom they
gave the task of guarding their bucket. As assistant fairies, Isabelle and
Juliette Ryan had the unenviable task of helping out the rather inept chief
fairy as she confused lines and forgot her entrances. The villagers were played by Kali and
Casey Argent, Lauren and Hannah Harwood, Joseph and Tom Rickard, Jake
Batchelor, Lilly Travers and Lauren Cartwright. In most scenes, they were
accompanied by the beguiling and delightful dog, Waggams, played beautifully
by Billy Andrews. Waggams’ lines, although restricted to barks, were
delivered so effectively that, in the course of the story, the dog’s
attractive personality shone through. Phyllis Bennett was the very unconventional
Grandmother who traveled to The production was supported by a very
strong backstage team who effected scenery changes smoothly and efficiently.
The songs were enhanced by the accompaniments of Bridget Coleman on the
piano. Chris Hall’s special effects were, as always, both imaginative and
effective, including a cottage door which at the flick of a wrist was
transformed into granny’s bed inhabited by the night-gowned wolf ready to
cause mayhem. Altogether a delightful production which
was clearly enjoyed by the audiences at all three performances. Already the Somborne Players are
planning their next production for October, so watch out for details in the
Gauntlet.
Reviewed by Jo Finch for the Gauntlet |
