Vivacious, vibrant,
versatile and visibly pleasing were the plaudits
of this specially-written show performed by the
Pantoloon's large cast.
Authors Simon Vines and Ros Tunbridge created
two story lines, one of which involved brave
hero Dick applying for the job of Sheriff in
Dodgy City, having served his time as Mayor in
the city of London. Travelling companion Cat
(Paul Martindale) offered support and the
opportunity for some of the many jokes that
constantly tumbled out of this production.
Storyline two took Chief Running Nose's daughter
Minnie Ha Ha to Dodgy City to seek friends of
her own age. Both tales are due to be thwarted
by King Rattle in his splendid snake costume.
A past review of the group lamented their
lack of vocal power. Here the balance swung the
other way with well-delivered numbers, under the
direction of MD Robert Randall, but too many of
them.
Rachel Tunbridge's gung ho Dick was almost
overshadowed by Vicky Biggs' feisty gun-toting
Alice Fitzwarren, leaving Claire Kennard to
present the gentle sex as Minnie Ha Ha.
Bursting with lively characters helping to
tell the tale we met an excellently evil
Desperate Danielle (Angie MacLean), Fairy of the
Prairie – Theresa Hallahan complete with
southern drawl and Jane Swale and Madeline Reeve
as Hiss and Slither, henchmen to Simon
Bucher-Jones' excellently evil King Rattle.
Back in Indian territory, Andrew Mander and a
lively Neil Frost as Bad Rains and Silent Wind
braved their Chief's ire should they fail as
bodyguards to Minnie, with Chris Henley creating
a most plausible Chief. Rick Roberts provided
advice and Indian-sounding gobbledegook as
Shaman Holmes the witch doctor. Nick Frost tried
to keep order in his saloon as Mayor Fitzwarren,
aided by a comic Chris Bishop as Joe and the
whole show was held together by Simon Vines as
Sal, whose stage presence and ad-libs as Dame
advance year on year.
An enthusiastic and able chorus, Louise
Bishop as Roxy – the saloon's singer, colourful
and ingenious costumes from Barbara Dent and her
team, inventive lighting and an excellent set
made this show unrecognisable from the
Pantoloons small beginnings in 1987 on a tiny
school stage.
Every show since then has raised money for
charity. This year funds go to The Princess
Royal Trust for Young Carers in Sutton.
Theo Spring
4 stars
Well the comments keep rolling in "What a fun evening - we just wanted to congratulate
you and the Pantaloons for such an entertaining evening, I don't think we
stopped laughing the whole time we were in the hall. Well Done - I have been
to several professional panto's in the last couple of years and yours was much
much better keep up the good work" Judy Reader
‘I liked it
when the Queen was fighting with the light sabre, especially when she was
supposed to be dead and she woke up again – I thought she was never going to
die.’ – Frankie (8)
‘Chuckles
was really funny – he made me laugh every time he came on – especially when he
walked into the wall.’ – Joshua (8)
‘I liked it
when the fairies came on dancing – they all looked silly.’ Adam (8)
‘I liked
joining in “The Way to Amarillo.” – Joe (9)
‘I thought
the dwarves were funny, with their new names. I liked it when Psycho made them
march off singing.’ – Guy (13
‘It was
funny when the Queen had to answer the phone when she was supposed to be
fighting.’ – Patrick (8)
‘I just
loved the whole show.’ – Andrew (10)
‘The dwarves
were best, especially the pink one who did the voices from Little Britain when
she said “Yeah but, no but” and “I want that one” when she grabbed a sandwich.’
- Freddie (10)
‘The band
was really good – the singing wouldn’t have been as good without them – I also
thought the fairies were funny because they couldn’t dance very well.’ – Harry
(9)
Comments from some of the Cubs of the 7th Purley Group.
Snow White
Another
great success, just look at the reviews!
The
Advertiser
Friday, February 3, 2006
Snow White
The Pantoloons
****
RHYMING couplets, a great dame, a charmingly tuneful Snow White and some
ingenious twists and turns made this year’s show jump up several notches in
comparison with last year.
The tale veers only slightly off the traditional path but for good reasons, the
sets were apt and colourful and the musical director David Starbuck and his
tuneful musicians brought a professional touch to the many songs which were
sprinkled in short bursts throughout the show. The rather jazzy overture to Act
II was superb!
Director Nick Frost evolved a pacy production using a combination of new talent
and old pantaloon stagers. Among the new kids on the block was Caroline Rodgers
who breathed realistic life into her Snow White, did more than justice to her
musical numbers and really graced the stage. Vicky Morris, erstwhile principal
girl, matched her enthusiasm as Prince Michael — great legs in spite of the
script saying otherwise!
Beautifully dressed with a wicked laugh, Jane Swale’s Queen Maligna was
elegantly evil and earnest in her desire to be the most beautiful in the
kingdom.
Elegance is not the word for Dame Goodheart whom Simon Vines made homely while
still delivering jokes just the right side of impolite.
Inoffensive and fun was his repartee with a selected male in the audience —
Thursday night’s Dave took all this in good part.
Just as Maligna made her entrances from the “baddies” side stage left, so three
traffic light fairies monopolised stage right. Poppy, Dandylion and Greensleeves
were the comic trio who moved the tale along. Neil Tunbridge and Phil Wright
making the most of their lines but Chris Henley’s body language added even more
to his role.
The role of young Chamberlain, Alonzo, called for a variety of acting talents,
well supplied by Gareth Heale, and Graham Burbidge brought slightly more
controlled comedy than in previous pantos, making Chuckles the court jester, a
real favourite.
The magic mirror, personified by Duncan Thnbridge, brought forth more couplets,
strongly delivered with a dry wit.
The seven friends whom Snow White meets in the forest were a women’s lib team of
Silver Miners, dressed to kill in satin with wonderfully whacky matching wigs
and, of course, toning handbags. Janet Hughes led the team as Psycho, but Itchy,
Bitchy, Sweaty, Sleepy, Bloated and Forgetful all added to the humour and pathos
of the cottage scenes.
Clever transformation work transformed Maligna in an instant into a grotesque
old apple-seller with Chester Stern making much of his brief appearance.
Ballet dancer Megane Frost opened the whole show and smiling and agile dancers
from the Doris Holford Stage School then danced on. Their evil spirits danced to
In the Hall of the Mountain King, which was eminently spooky.
Of the musical numbers, One from Chorus Line was well delivered by the ensemble
and Snow White’s Whistle While You Work with integrated tap dancing made a great
solo.
Everyone on stage looked as if they were enjoying themselves the audience
certainly did and hopefully gave generously to The Pantoloons charity collection
for the NSPCC
The Pantoloons
Committee
Chairman Margaret Bishop
Treasurer Rick Roberts
Kate Nash
Alistair Kennard
Theresa Hallhan
Angie MacLean
Keith Hughes
The Pantoloons were first formed in 1989 with packed houses at Kenley
Primary School. We have come a long way since then, we have been producing
pantomimes ever since raising many thousand's of pounds for charity.
