What a treat this really was - the enthusiasm of the cast was palpable from the start on the first night, completely reflected by the response of the audience. Sure enough, this is an amateur production, by and for the Florence Park community, but you’d hardly know it - what a lot of talent was on display from this local group of players, building the panto into a tradition now in its fifth year.
King Richard is away at the Crusades, and the kingdom is going to pot in his absence. The greedy Sheriff of Nottingham plans to win Maid Marion (Kara Young) and her estates, whatever it takes. Only Robin Hood (Lisa Pataridou) and his Merry Men can stop him, and the audience was soon rooting for the hero as he tries (not always with superb competence) to help the villagers against the evil Sheriff.
Jeff Bowersox as the Sheriff was a class act - a really convincing and dastardly panto baddie. He has the perfect wicked laugh and presence for the role, strutting the stage and connecting with his audience as only a really effective baddie can. And Deb Puleston as Princess Joan (an equivalent to Prince John!) was an ideal counterpoint for him, a wickedly comic presence on stage.
Jon Flint as Nursie was a force of nature, completely immersing himself (and therefore everyone else) in the role and the action. He was aided by a script that is brilliantly funny, managing to be very entertaining for children as well as delivering a bit of innuendo and comic local references for the adults.
Impossible to name enough of the large ensemble cast, but I’ll mention the team of children, some very young, engaged as the woodland creatures and as the Sheriff's soldiers, and all were enthusiastic, energetic, word-perfect, and skilful dancers even on the first night.
Superbly cast and beautifully produced and choreographed by Nell Hook, Heather Dunmore and Viv Peto, with excellent music from Trev Williams and his band, the production was warmly received by a packed audience on opening night, getting involved with resounding cheers and boos to greet characters’ entrances.
It's a real post-Christmas treat for the whole family. A shame that this was a short run of performances, but maybe we'll see this same company of players on stage again before this time next year.....