An Absolutely Cracking Panto!
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One of the many impressive aspects of this season’s barnstorming panto by Pateley Bridge Dramatic Society is the sheer logistical achievement of it all.
The excellent 22-strong cast of Humpty Dumpty make little concession to the fact that their space in The Playhouse is limited. They fling everything in the pantosphere onto this small stage. Multiple scene changes, magic props, special effects, great costumes, song and dance, flash bang wallops – it’s got the lot. The exuberance of this production and the professional quality of its performance would have happily graced the wider platform of a metropolitan theatre. In fact, it trumped many a glitzy city effort because this was unashamedly traditional panto – a true celebration of an art form with its roots in Victorian music hall, mercifully free from smart-alec political correctness but stuffed with local references, running gags, healthy innuendo and, of course, raucous audience participation.
So, unusually in a review, the first namecheck goes to husband and wife director team Peter and Judy Buller for their stagecraft, vision, and mastery of the form – not to mention punishing workload. |
Zoe Buller as Prince Michael Katie Buller as Princess Shellana |
Peter Buller as King Eggbert Nevin Ward as Olive Omelette
They were rewarded with a sparkling ensemble performance from a cast obviously at home with each other – and clearly loving every minute. All the inviolable roles – Dame, principal boy, villain, daft duo, goodies, baddies – were given a whisk in Eggsville, headed up by Nevin Ward as Olive Omelette and Peter Buller (how did he find the time?) as King Egbert the Unready. This was a classic pairing, extravagant and ebullient, and both were on top comic form. The riffing, both with each other and the audience, was terrific and punctuated by some cheery ad libbing and excruciating – sorry, eggscruciating – puns. You need great timing to carry this off, and they had it in spades.
Five of the Chorus: Vicki Gaunt, Caitlin Edwards, Brenna Smith, Katie Kippax, Vicki Burton
Rachel Smith was superb as the Sorceress Salmonella, glitteringly wicked and hiss-worthy with a powerful stage presence. Her scenes with Humpty were a joy – and here, much praise goes to Joyce Liggins as Humpty Dumpty. It must be a tad daunting to imbue an egg with character, but she managed to convey a wonderful eggy sliminess with the help of an inspired Jonathan Woss-type lisp. Her seduction by Violet Gentle – a cracking cameo from Ben Derrick – brought the house down.
Katie Buller was a charming and gentle Princess while Zoe Buller put in a fine, confident performance as Prince Michael of Mayonnaise – brave, bold, and full of swash and buckle. Definitely one to watch for the future.
Jerry Harvey and Jo Jefferson nailed the straight man/clown double act with great comic aplomb as Sgt Egg Yolk and Cpl Egg White. Apart from a command of the daft dialogue, Jo also showed an immense skill for the physicality of clowning.
The Three Bats: Kailum Farmery, Kieran Farmery, Jaxom Smith
Another cast member with good comedy instincts was Colin Mannion, who played both hippy Nicky Nobath and distraught Policeman Eggcup. He was also one of the King’s Horses alongside the versatile Iain Johnson – an expressive panto horse duo, albeit mute. Other non-speaking members of the cast included a sparky chorus and a cheeky young trio of bats – Kieran Farmery, Kailum Farmery and Jaxom Smith were a delight.
The last acting accolade is reserved for the person I reckon almost beat this show into submission with her leek – Carol Bailey, who came up with a scene-stealing masterclass as a Welsh Druid with more than a nod to Gavin and Stacey. Although not one of the major roles, this was a star turn, no question - perfectly judged, accented and timed, and consequently wonderfully funny.
However, it has to be said that the toughest gig in pantomime is probably head of wardrobe – so the Oscar goes to Christine Ward, ably assisted by Rachel Smith, for a dazzling and painstaking set of costumes.
In the netherworld that is February panto, the Pateley players gave us a corking evening of entertainment and pulled it off with Boxing Day panache. To be honest, this would still have been hugely enjoyable on midsummer’s day. Oh yes it would...
Cheryl Barber
The Cast of Humpty Dumpty
[This review appeared in the Pateley Bridge & Nidderdale Herald 12.2.2010]