“LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD”
Adapted & Directed By Ian Southon
The Irchester Players are performing their annual pantomime production, which in 2006 is none other than “Little Red Riding Hood”; and for those familiar with the term ‘alice-syndrome’, you’ll appreciate that a pantomime is generally based around a traditional story, legend or fable; and in the true Irchester Players spirit, debut director Ian Southon, adapted this pantomime, originally written by John Beetson. Having sat through two shows, and yes, I know I’m a glutton for punishment, but this gave me an opportunity to review the pantomime over two performances as one.
From quiet early on it was easy to identify the core of both the slapstick humour and the darkly comical renditions given by the central villainess Maigor, and her hilarious henchmen Evers O’Greedy and Willy Weasel, both characters seem to be the butt of the audiences humour, especially the children. Our hearts warmed to the main goody-goodies, the stalwart and thigh-slapping Prince Valiant and the naive and innocent Little Red Riding Hood, the wafting Queen Titania and her gesticulatory husband, King Oberon. One mustn’t forget the usual dame role, which in this case, the red-lipped, be-wigged and be-corseted Grandma.
With full support from such characters as, the cuddly Polly Pickle, the cowardly Humbly Grumbly, the Pudding family – the empty bowl-stirring Rice Pudding, the slightly bossy Tapioca, good old Yorkshire-lass Prudence, and their bum-scratching, pant-pulling, ginger-nutted and at times limp-wristed son Simple Simon, what more could be asked?
What with the excellent scenery design, lighting and special effects, which fully enhanced all performances, especially the snow-white and gossamer fairy-dancers, the Village hunters-cum-wolves looked quite menacing, but Big Bad Wolf - though deep in voice - was a softy really. Best not forget the leg-cocking Woofie, and the quick appearance of a toad, or was it Maigor? But with good support from the male and female singers-cum-morris dancers, fun was obviously being had - but I’m still not sure about the heroes Superman and Batman, was this a neo-camp version of ‘Strictly Come Dancing’?
As usual, the musical direction by Dinah Stevenson was impeccable, as in deed was the delightfully evocative choreography by Lianne Black. So all in all, a wonderful performance that couldn’t fail to warm the cockles of your heart, as well as other places.
Review By: James Ritzelle
12.02.06
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