Trouble In Pantoland a huge success, says 'Firstnighter'

'Firstnighter', Audlem Online's guest panto critic was, as you'd expect, at last night's performance of Trouble In Pantoland:-

"Last night the newly refurbished Public Hall resounded to boos, hisses, behind you's and tremendous applause. The 5As panto had arrived – Trouble In Pantoland, the 13th production for the 5As opened to a packed audience, with many old faces and many new. Over the thirteen years, it has been marvellous to watch the little chorus characters blossom and become leading lights.

The first scene is the hovel with the old crones enjoying a nice cup of tea and some excellent one liners, but the prompter seemed to be the star of the show until the entrance of the Evil Wizard – to many boos and hisses led by the front row – played by Ian McClellan, his second year with the 5As.

The production crew seem to have arrived at a nice blend of scenes and little routines for the chorus and this format works very well. "Is this the way to Amarillo?" was good but some of the jokes are old chestnuts – but I did appreciate the reference to Classic Stone.

The Dame is dead, long live the Dame – Pete Webb, that wonderful stalwart of panto dames, has hung up his boots for new roles. Paul Cliffe as Widow Twanky has brought a new slant to dame playing. He could have come directly from Monty Python, his voice and timing being first class. Writing of Monty Python, what a missed opportunity in the parrot sketch – a parrot that bore a remarkable resemblance to a Norwegian Blue.

The walk-on part of Gaston proved to be a little gem of a cameo – well done Colin. (Colin Cliffe has made a great adaptation of the Sharon Hume script to suit Audlem Panto's taste.)

Mention must be made of Kirsty Emerton who lost her voice on Monday but struggled to find it on Tuesday and, with the help of a headset mike, made a great job of the songs. Add to that all the senior girls, who were superb – what an array of home-grown talent we have.

All the scenes with the Chorus were excellent, especially the can-can girls who did a great routine – pleasing to a jaded old critic! The scene with the community sing-song, despite Olive's efforts, fell a little flat – "not my cup of tea" – bring back the bouncing ball!

All in all, a cracking production with congratulations all round – cast, back-stage staff, front-of-house, bar and all. With 49 on stage, 25 behind the scenes and parents and others, over one hundred people were involved. What a community effort and what an achievement by the 5As who work so hard to make Audlem Pantos a really superb village event."

Trouble In Pantoland continues tonight, Friday and Saturday at 7.30pm in the Public Hall. Friday and Saturday night are sold out but there were a small number of individual tickets available for tonight.

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