It is always a pleasure to attend Eyemouth & District Community Youth Theatre Group’s annual pantomime and this year was no exception. The warm welcome on the door, the themed hall and the anticipation of a rattling good show is something I have come to expect and I wasn’t disappointed. The giant, Buster Gut-Bucket, (Craig Rosie) opened the show with his menacing voice which sent many a Brownie quivering in their chair! His gigantic appearance on stage later set them off again! Piccalli (Caitlin Lauder) would not help their fear as she played the part frighteningly well with just the right amount of menace and it made me feel for her evil sidekick, Rancid the Ratman, (Sebastian Aitchison) who played the part with conviction. The appearance of Fairy Sugardust was something of a surprise as the production team had cast Jack Ritchie in this part, complete with a fetching pink ensemble and a Geordie accent. He played this part magnificently and his never faltering accent and witty asides were a credit to how far Jack has progressed over the years spent with the group. Then the main curtains opened and we were treated to the lovely sight of the dancers.
( Carys Charles, Jessica Isgate, Emma McEwen, Rose McTavish, Rosie Mitchell, Eilidh Oliver, Abi O’Neill, Evie Virtue, Keely-Jo Virtue & Leah Walters.) The girls appeared many times throughout the show in pleasing costumes and some tricky choreography was handled with ease. Well done girls! Joining the dancers in the village square were the main singers {Alisha Cooledge, Livi Hamilton, Paige Hawrylewicz, Madeline Lark, Deon Mark, Matilda Sidney, Halle
Simpson & Sian Wainwright), who led the singing with ease and the chorus (Sophie Arnott, Mack Blackie, Dale Butler, Joshua Campion, Owen Charles, Ferguson Coates, Jemma Craig, Martha Cromarty, Cleo Crowe, Kaylyn Fry, Stuart Haddow, Hope Hawrylewicz, Jessica Henderson, Nicole Johnstone, Grace Lowrie, Dani Peakman, Abby Pringle, Mason Skene, Daniel Turnbull, Ellie Mae Turnbull, Taryn Walker, Alistair White & Stewart White). With such a large cast the stage could have looked too full but the young people had been well coached in their movements and effective grouping made sure everyone was seen. Their dance for the arrival of Dame Dotty Dimple (Campbell McNeil) was simple but effective. Dame Dotty was played in the usual amusing way that everyone enjoys with a fascinating wardrobe of clothes. And then there were her sons:- Jack (Roma Peakman), who played the lead with a mature confidence aided by a magnificent singing voice, and Simple Simon (Archie Bogle) who made a perfect job of this character complete with excellent comedy timing and a perfect Irish accent. His arrival at the top of the beanstalk was particularly good. The “Royals” King Crumble (Monty McNeil), Queen Apricot (Cody Watkinson) and Humphrey (Mia Jappy) were suitably regal and played their parts well. Of course we mustn’t forget Princess Charlotte (Hannah Combe) who had wonderful interaction with Jack and a strong singing voice. Her rendition of “Someone like you” was performed with confidence and was particularly haunting. The brokers men, Snatchet (Elle Drummond) and Scarper (Max McNeil), were the perfect duo and their comic timing was excellent. Last, but not least, is Buttermilk the cow (Rory Fairbairn & Terrie Turnbull). Their antics, in the dairy in particular, were well rehearsed and hilarious. The whole show was a visual spectacular from beginning to end but special mention should be made of “A little night music” which began with a frustrated Fairy Sugardust and ended in the magic of the beanstalk. Similarly the cleverly choreographed giant’s castle which saw the whole cast involved including the harp (Alicia Rankin) & hen (Katie Fowler). The “Bake-Off” take on the kitchen scene was hilarious and well delivered. The red, white and silver finale costumes were stunning and a credit to wardrobe (Pauline Hood & Mairi Maltman) and Utopia Costumes of Dundee. Backstage saw “The Dream Team” (Joan, Leigh, Alison, Craig & Lilian) providing slick, quick scene changes. Lights (Kirk Sim) and sound (Reckless Productions) enhanced the delightful scenery (Border Studios) and there was clever use of spotlights (Kenny Combe & Sophie Ritchie). Prompt (Ethne Turnbull) was not used much the night I was there but when she was needed fed the lines quickly. The immaculate hair (Wynd & Wave) and make-up (Chloe Robertson, Dawn Aitchison, Heather Logie and Emma Drummond-Cowe) added to the overall appearance. Huge congratulations to the production team (Pauline Greive, Carly Robertson, Joan Blatchley & Andrea Thacker) for producing the show but more importantly HUGE thanks to the cast for a truly entertaining and enjoyable evening.
