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Stars explained: * A production of no real merit
with failings in all areas. ** A production showing evidence of not
enough time or effort, or even talent, and which never breathes any real
life into the piece – or a show lumbered with a terrible script. *** A
good enjoyable show which might have some small flaws but has largely
achieved what it set out to do.**** An excellent show which shows a
great deal of work and stage craft with no noticeable or major
flaws.***** A four star show which has found that extra bit of magic
which lifts theatre to another plane. |
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Dame Ian makes the shoe fit The Old Woman Who Lived in a Shoe Highbury Little Theatre *** THERE is nothing like a Dame! So says the
big song from the hit musical South Pacific, and the same can be said
much further down the entertainment pecking order. This pantomime by Sutton Coldfield's Highbury
Players, a shade late in the season, was limping along until Ian Cornock
appeared on the scene as Dame Diptheria Dallymore, and what a difference
he (she)made. Suddenly life in Tumbledown Village, Entertainia,
became much more interesting with Cornock simply bursting with
confidence and charisma. The small audience on the night I attended sat
up and took notice. When Dame D proposes to the King (Malcolm
Deathridge) and is told she would make a lovely 'Queen', the look he
gave the customers said it all. Dame Dallymore, running an orphanage which is
re-located in a giant boot after former premises were destroyed by a
giant, kick-starts the revival, wearing a remarkable range of colourful
costumes and wigs that must have swallowed a large chunk of the show's
budget. In the early stages of Norman Robbins' story some
of the acting was rather wooden and unconvincing, while the quality of
the singing was particularly disappointing until late in the second act.
Occasionally - and it was not opening night -
lines were forgotten, though when comedy duo Wrack (Heather Johnson) and
Ruin (Sarah Cotter) 'lost it' during a song, their fit of giggles proved
a very funny episode for the patient audience. There are other plusses in the panto which, in
its publicity leaflet, promised 'music, dancing and groan-worthy jokes'. Karrise Willets, playing the wicked Calumnia, had
the ability to attract the jeers and boos, while the good lady, Mother
Goose (Louise Farmer wielding a large wooden spoon) has a lovely smile
and a pleasant delivery with a Scottish accent. A fine performance, too, from Roddy Lynch,
dressed as a jester, determined to whip up some audience reaction and
usually succeeding. Other key roles are taken by Reg Tolley (the
Squire), Steve McNeill (Corydon), Hannah Parry (Princess Marigold) and
Emelia Wells (Bo Peep). We hear though never see the giant, but are told
one of his giant tears could sweep away a house. At one performance the
theatre roof sprang a leak during a heavy rainstorm, but the big man
wasn't responsible. Directed by Suzy Donnelly and Richard Ham, the
panto has an amusing classroom scene, while the ghost in a white sheet,
white long johns and trainers had the youngsters in the audience calling
for more. To 07-01-12 Paul Marston |
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