What they thought.

Boldly going for charity

Robinson Crusoe: A Space Oddity The Pantoloons

A many peopled production this, grabbing every opportunity for a reference to just about anything to do with space.

Here, Robinson Crusoe's island was the moon whence he departed in haste to rescue his kidnapped amour Princess Wilhelmina (Louise Bishop). Sadly, this departure at the end of Act I did not receive the build up it deserved and was over almost without being noticed.

To try and explain the plot here would not do, mostly because l am a little hazy on it myself but there was comedy, energy, flashes and bangs and some really superb costumes from the wardrobe team who seemed to have cornered the market in silver material. Happily adhering to panto traditions the good and the bad had Pol-E (Polly) and Rog-R (Roger) fighting their respective corners with John East dressed as Darth Vader and Claire Kennard smiling in silver (I had reviewed Claire in Music Hall that afternoon and here she was that same evening -what energy!),

Simon Vines' delightful dame- Mrs Crusoe -was full of wit and repartee, rescuing himself admirably when he got a joke completely wrong; Mrs C managed to get aboard the Rent-a-Prize by taking the packed lunch Robinson and his brother Wally had left at home, then made herself useful with a feather duster for Captain Berk - played as a philandering duffer by Chris Bishop,

Vicky Biggs strode manfully about the stage as Robinson, fighting the wicked Captain Blackheart (a sinister Nick Frost) over the treasure, hidden on the moon and caring for his daft brother Wally - Paul Martindale. More silliness came from knockabouts Nuts (Chris Henley) and Bolts (Jane Susie) all delivered with a west country accent. Oh, and the President of the USA was Involved too- Tony Dent in lecherous mood. The voice of sanity on board the space ship came from Mr Shock - a laconic and pleasing delivery from Simon Bucher-Jones.

Lieutenants abounded too with Kate Nash as Houston (for the many obvious jokes). Grot (Glynis

Goddard) - a Scot- and Angle Maclean as the sexy Yoohoo, going great guns. Also on board, Dr McShy (Jon Slade) and a running gag of the un-named crewmen with Nell Tunbridge always, literally, in the firing line.

We met Friday on the Moon with a neat cameo from Theresa Hallahan. Kit-E the Pleasure Android gave Felicity Nicholson a chance to shine and Phil Wright took a number of small roles. As always, the Pantoloons provided a good supporting chorus.

Written by Simon Vines and Ros Tunbridge, with Ros directing. Rob Randall presided over the music and Meganne Frost choreographed.

The show was certainly good fun and raises money for Macmillan Cancer Support, but it wasn't pantomime Jim, not as we know it.

Thee Spring  Croydon Advertiser

"Dear Bagheera

thank you for getting tickets to see the pantomime.
I really enjoyed all of it - here are my favorite bits
my favourite character was the man who kept on dying
my favorite bit was where nuts and bolts blew up the pirate ships

               best wishes

              Joshua F"

"Dear Phil
 
Charlie really enjoyed the show, saying it was really funny and good.  He especially like the little Dalek looking things that only came up to your ankles, which scared all the cast?  He really laughed at these. 
 
What a good show he said and Sammy is looking forward to seeing it today. 
 
This is what he told me anyway. 
 
Regards
 
Teresa and Charlie"

"Hi Bagheera

 

I thought the panto was very hilarious.  My favourite part was at the end when the guy picked up the pirate's carrot, instead of the parrot and he wanted to sing a song, but when he had sung the first two lines he got knocked out by the giant carrot.

 

It was really good.

 

Ben (9)"