This is Dorset -- THE audience knew they were in for a treat on arriving at the Regent Centre, Christchurch to find animated scenes projected on the stage curtain, with pirate ships, a whale, octopus and shark weaving through the sea – what a start to a pantomime! This was no ordinary panto though, it was Treasure Island by the Highcliffe Charity Players who were adding it to their impressive repertoire. Forget the classic tale by Robert Louis Stevenson, this swash-buckling epic is more a fusion of Robinson Crusoe and Pirates of the Caribbean with a taste of James Bond for good measure. There's Jim our brave hero and his pretty sweetheart, Jim's mum Ma Hawkins, lots of cheery townsfolk in the Benbow Inn – and then it gets exciting. They discover a treasure map, go aboard the good ship Hispaniola to sail to the island but find that wicked Long John Silver and his band of pirates are also pursuing the treasure. Then there's a sarcastic parrot, the fairy godmother who looks like a mermaid, Robinson Crusoe with a Girl Friday and lots of lovelies for other days, and much more. So do this motley crew all end up happy ever after? Oh course they do! What a great cast director and choreographer Georgina Smith has collected, with Stuart Tizzard returning after a break from Dame duties to play the outrageous Ma Hawkins. Complementing his comedy capers are Brass and Knuckles, the loveable pirates, played brilliantly by Malcolm George and Pete Whitaker. How the youngsters in the audience responded to these two and loud boos came forth for David Coward, the dastardly Long John Silver. A real baddie but with one hysterical routine when he managed to perform with a pair of extra legs – amazing! All dance numbers were fabulous, incidentally, with one scene worthy of Strictly Come Dancing. Hannah Doyle made a promising debut for the Players as principal boy Jim Hawkins using her long legs and pleasant singing voice to good effect and Beth Chumley was a delightful Felicity, the perfect principal girl. What a smashing performer young Charlie Barrington is, suave and sophisticated as Robinson Crusoe and another comedy part for Christine Duell who gives her all as Captain Corker'un. So who stole the show for this reviewer? Richard Facer who made Paulie the Parrot absolutely hilarious, precious and camp yet with lots of one-liners and wearing a colourful feathered costume which would have graced any South American carnival. Treasure Island sinks into the sea on Saturday 25th so get there quickly to enjoy a slick, fast-moving production with music at high volume, youngsters on stage for a sing-along, and plenty of audience participation. The children had a great time although there was a bit of adult humour – which was lost on the little ones – that didn't quite fit the deservedly high reputation which Highcliffe Charity Players enjoys for family entertainment. PS
Reported by This is 2 days ago.
This is Dorset -- THE audience knew they were in for a treat on arriving at the Regent Centre, Christchurch to find animated scenes projected on the stage curtain, with pirate ships, a whale, octopus and shark weaving through the sea – what a start to a pantomime! This was no ordinary panto though, it was Treasure Island by the Highcliffe Charity Players who were adding it to their impressive repertoire. Forget the classic tale by Robert Louis Stevenson, this swash-buckling epic is more a fusion of Robinson Crusoe and Pirates of the Caribbean with a taste of James Bond for good measure. There's Jim our brave hero and his pretty sweetheart, Jim's mum Ma Hawkins, lots of cheery townsfolk in the Benbow Inn – and then it gets exciting. They discover a treasure map, go aboard the good ship Hispaniola to sail to the island but find that wicked Long John Silver and his band of pirates are also pursuing the treasure. Then there's a sarcastic parrot, the fairy godmother who looks like a mermaid, Robinson Crusoe with a Girl Friday and lots of lovelies for other days, and much more. So do this motley crew all end up happy ever after? Oh course they do! What a great cast director and choreographer Georgina Smith has collected, with Stuart Tizzard returning after a break from Dame duties to play the outrageous Ma Hawkins. Complementing his comedy capers are Brass and Knuckles, the loveable pirates, played brilliantly by Malcolm George and Pete Whitaker. How the youngsters in the audience responded to these two and loud boos came forth for David Coward, the dastardly Long John Silver. A real baddie but with one hysterical routine when he managed to perform with a pair of extra legs – amazing! All dance numbers were fabulous, incidentally, with one scene worthy of Strictly Come Dancing. Hannah Doyle made a promising debut for the Players as principal boy Jim Hawkins using her long legs and pleasant singing voice to good effect and Beth Chumley was a delightful Felicity, the perfect principal girl. What a smashing performer young Charlie Barrington is, suave and sophisticated as Robinson Crusoe and another comedy part for Christine Duell who gives her all as Captain Corker'un. So who stole the show for this reviewer? Richard Facer who made Paulie the Parrot absolutely hilarious, precious and camp yet with lots of one-liners and wearing a colourful feathered costume which would have graced any South American carnival. Treasure Island sinks into the sea on Saturday 25th so get there quickly to enjoy a slick, fast-moving production with music at high volume, youngsters on stage for a sing-along, and plenty of audience participation. The children had a great time although there was a bit of adult humour – which was lost on the little ones – that didn't quite fit the deservedly high reputation which Highcliffe Charity Players enjoys for family entertainment. PS
Reported by This is 2 days ago.