favourites. Their characterisation contribution was most entertaining. Lily Moro, as Belle, was charming and endeared herself to the audience from her first entrance to the final curtain. Lily looked every inch a princess when she wore the iconic yellow ball gown. As Belle’s father, Louis, Neil Ogden entered into the pantomime mayhem with ease. Belle is chased by the dastardly Gillies, played by Mia Arnold. Mia made a good villain getting the most of the role whilst also delivering strong vocals. Harrison Knight had lots of fun playing Gillies sidekick, Le Fou - it was a good partnership. Now the battle of good versus evil was played out skilfully by Gillian Roberts as Fairy Lilac and Paula Hardman as the wicked Zelena. Both these actresses commanded the stage and worked the audience accordingly. Comedy, whether visual or verbal, is the beating heart of any pantomime. Putting on the frock Connnor Parkinson, as Dame Dolly Doolally, fully primed the audience for their interaction participation. “Oh, no, I didn’t” and “He’s behind you “were the joint chorus throughout; all his set pieces were a hoot. He was ably assisted by Coleane Buckley as Dolly’s son Dilly Doolally. Coleane, on the night I attended, had a slightly noisy audience to keep in check. It did not take her long to get them participating. It was a good learning curve for “working an audience”. A special mention of the younger ensemble cast members: their energy and enthusiasm took the production to another level. This group’s festive production allowing youth to lead goes from strength to strength.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy ODU3MzQ=