Final confirmation that the Hawth theatre socially distanced pantomime could go ahead only came through the day before it was due to open. Until then, months of hard work was hanging in the balance. Thankfully it is going ahead and Paul Hendy, Emily Wood, Evolution Productions and the simply brilliant cast of five supremely talented actors deserve massive congratulations for, in the middle of the most difficult of situations, staging such a fantastic show.
The theatre, following all the latest guidelines, open the doors 30 minutes before curtain up and invite the audience to take their seats as soon as they arrive. The atmosphere in the auditorium is one of nervous anticipation. How can a show that requires so much audience participation succeed when the members of the audience are not allowed to shout out?
Very soon we find out how when Billy, played by the fantastically funny Richard Franks, says to the audience, “When I come on and shout Hiya Gang, I want you to say… absolutely nothing. See just how awkward you can make me feel”. The audience obeys and, as Billy bounds back on stage, you could hear a pin drop. Richard stands there in a state of uncomfortable delight and we realise that this is going to be a very different kind of panto.
With no live band, dance troupe or juveniles to help with the flow of the performance, it falls to Jocasta Almgill, who plays the rapping Fairy Moonshot, to keep the plot moving along and she does this very well indeed. To signify her arrival the audience is asked to clap and stamp and, being given the chance to create some form of noise, we all join in enthusiastically.
Chrissie Perkins, returning after her triumphant performance in last year’s Hawth Theatre pantomime, plays Billy’s sister Jill. She sings and dances her way through the show but she is far from a sugary sweet female lead. She takes “Girl Power” very seriously and it is her that sets out to defeat the baddie and save panto.
The baddie of the piece is Professor von Badapple. He hates children, of course, and wants to steal the “Essence of Pantomime” to wipe the genre from the face of the earth forever. Obviously relishing the role and loving every single second that he is on stage is Lawrence Boothman. In 2018 Lawrence won the Great British Pantomime Award for Best Baddie and it is very easy to see why. His performance is a delightful combination of high camp and dastardly villain and his desperation to be able to tell just one funny joke is played to perfection.
Dame Dolly herself is played by self-confessed “fat bloke in a dress” Michael J Batchelor. Now in his 7th year performing in the Hawth’s pantomime, Michael is, without doubt, one of the top dames in the country. His self-designed and self-made costumes are legendary in the panto world and, despite the difficulties of this year, Dolly’s wardrobe is as incredible as ever.
The show is very different to anything that has come before it in the way of pantomime but different doesn’t mean inferior. There are many parts of the show that are pure genius, and it shows how “thinking outside the box” can create a touch of brilliance.
The “ghost routine” is usually the noisiest part of the show for the audience but it breaks all of the current rules so, bizarre as it may sound, this year the entire routine is performed with masses of, totally silent, audience participation – and it is one of the funniest panto scenes ever to appear on stage.
When looking at the issues that we have all had this year with something as simple as going to the shops, the creation of an excellent 80 minute pantomime with scenery, props, costumes, lighting, sound and a script that hits everyone directly on the funny bone, is a simply stunning achievement and one that should make everyone involved with this, first class, production immensely proud.
***** Five Stars