Taunton Wayfarers 50th anniversary panto

If you are feeling the winter blues,head down to the Brewhouse Theatre in Taunton this week and have a good old fashioned laugh in the company of the Wayfarers Pantomime Society.

Cinderella is their 50th anniversary production and they have pulled out all the stops for a great show.

 I was able to get a sneak preview at their dress rehearsal,which by tradition is usually full of glitches,but I have to say there were only a few minor ones and the show was slick,entertaining and extremely full of energy.It was obvious the the cast and crew had worked very hard to produce a professional standard.

Even if a panto is not really your thing and you prefer a variety show,I think you would enjoy their Cinderella as the quality of singing dancing and comedy was a superb  mix of traditional and contemporary and I would like to congratulate everyone involved.

The sets were beautiful and as with the costuming and props,there was great attention to detail, with an interesting twist before the ball which I will not spoil for those heading to see it.

The principles were very slick,and  I really would not want to single anyone out;loveable Buttons in the form of Richard Matravers, bounced onto the stage and continued to bounce throughout the performance,keeping thepace up between scenes. The Ugly sisters in the form of Ray Jarvis and Stuart Lloyd were totally believable in the roles without overdoing the comic 'female' voice which I have witnessed in some Panto Dames and together with their mother,Baroness Hardup played masterfully by Jane Burt, they made a real argumentative and comical family. Cinders,Molly Bird was charming and sweet with a beautiful voice,singing in lovely harmony with her Prince Charming ,Sarah Whittaker. I would like to have seen a little more interaction between her and the dreaded mother and sisters but with such a fast moving show,there was a lot to pack in and the time just flew by. baron Hardup,Simon Wilmott completed the group and added to the kitchen comedy.

Alison Jenkinson made a striking Dandini and I enjoyed the way the script allowed everyone to have their own little moment of humour.

Bodget and Leggett,(Dan Woodmanson & Amber Samuel) were a great 'cartoon like'double act with some classic panto visual gags and a lot of reference to TV property shows.

Nikki Court had to be the twinkliest( hey its panto any word goes...oh yes it does!) I say again, the twinkliest Fairy Godmother I have ever seen and camp Chambers ,David Northay. added his own flourish of colour.

Talking of twinkly,I loved the presentation of the stage curtain,no heavy velvet drapes here, but a delicate veil with little jewelled stars sewn into it and very well painted with a clock and carriage silhouette, framed with sparkling pillars either side.The lighting gave it an even more fairytale feel.

The backdrops were excellent and wait 'til you see the coach! I took loads of photos but stills do not do the show justice and I really think you should gather up the family or a friend that needs some light relief and go and lose yourselves for a couple of hours in Cinderella.

 Any production can fall on its,weakest link and a bored member of the chorus can distract the eye but eveyone was completely alive on stage at all times,even in the back.

Hagan (hay gone) the horse had some great footwork,no mean feat especially in such an uncomfortable costume; well done Anna Morgan & Angela Lock.

The children danced beautifully alongside the adults and the musical numbers were a credit to the director Brian Epps,performers, choreographer Sheila Driver and muscial director kathryn Stevens. 

I thoroughly enjoyed the finale,which instead of the walkdown,wave and final song,turned into another wave of singing and dancing which left you on a high. 

They are entered for the Rose Bowl awards and I will be very surprised if they come away empty handed and they are also holding a raffle in aid of SURE so are helping a great local charity as well.

Thanks for a lovely night one and all.