After a lovely welcome by Front of House (led by Angela Peel) the show began with the storyteller (Charlie Wilson) peeping out of a tree. He set the scene and told us of the folk of Higgeldy Piggeldy (the chorus complete with snouts and curly tails). A lively opening dance filled the stage with singing pigs, telling of the Big Bad Wolf who kept blowing down the straw house of the 3 main pigs - well played with three individual characters by Aaron Oke, Charlie Watson and Phil Weller.
Enter the Big Bad Wolf. Sam Mansfield managed to terrorise the pigs but endear himself to the audience, body language and roaring voice convincing us he really was a Wolf. Lamby (Sarah Duke) was the sexiest lamb I’ve ever seen, with a lovely singing voice too. Little Bo-Peep (Francesca Rose) looked so sweet with the little lambs she kept losing. Hansel and Gretel, (Chris Brandish and Becca Penfold) were given German accents by Joe Graham - an inspired idea which helped their bouncy characterisation. The three Witches (Pat Giles, Louise Cobb and Angie Stevens) had completely different characters, all very strong; they were joined enthusiastically by a bevy of singing chorus witches.
Peter Press Pig (Harry Quinn) added a touch of humour throughout. Katie Mansfield made a great Red Riding Hood and handled Hazel the Squirrel very well with a Liverpudlian accent. A well-drilled chorus sang out lustily – we could hear most of the words.
A large set with piggy houses and trees in the forest were most effective, but the deep blue curtain used while scene changes were taking place seemed odd in contrast to the rest of the brightly painted sets.
The wardrobe was a treat (wardrobe manager Jo Purves and her team), and there were good lighting and sound effects and lots of audience participation (although I would have liked a few more gags). The musicians, led by MD Alan Cobb, were great; indeed, the whole pantomime was presented in a slick, well-rehearsed way which the audience thoroughly enjoyed. Director and writer Joe Graham must be very happy.
Enter the Big Bad Wolf. Sam Mansfield managed to terrorise the pigs but endear himself to the audience, body language and roaring voice convincing us he really was a Wolf. Lamby (Sarah Duke) was the sexiest lamb I’ve ever seen, with a lovely singing voice too. Little Bo-Peep (Francesca Rose) looked so sweet with the little lambs she kept losing. Hansel and Gretel, (Chris Brandish and Becca Penfold) were given German accents by Joe Graham - an inspired idea which helped their bouncy characterisation. The three Witches (Pat Giles, Louise Cobb and Angie Stevens) had completely different characters, all very strong; they were joined enthusiastically by a bevy of singing chorus witches.
Peter Press Pig (Harry Quinn) added a touch of humour throughout. Katie Mansfield made a great Red Riding Hood and handled Hazel the Squirrel very well with a Liverpudlian accent. A well-drilled chorus sang out lustily – we could hear most of the words.
A large set with piggy houses and trees in the forest were most effective, but the deep blue curtain used while scene changes were taking place seemed odd in contrast to the rest of the brightly painted sets.
The wardrobe was a treat (wardrobe manager Jo Purves and her team), and there were good lighting and sound effects and lots of audience participation (although I would have liked a few more gags). The musicians, led by MD Alan Cobb, were great; indeed, the whole pantomime was presented in a slick, well-rehearsed way which the audience thoroughly enjoyed. Director and writer Joe Graham must be very happy.