Panto At The OK Corral Review

With a cast list of 14 names, some extraordinarily similar to legendary figures of the American West, this show has a complement of essential panto character types, with the exception of a Fairy (good or otherwise). With no magic powers, either for or agianst him. the villainous Sheriff Small Holding had more difficulty than usual in making an enemy of the audience, but Martin Herford was soon being hissed and booed. Dame Winnie - Pegg, played by Barry Kirk won over the audience in no time, playing with great confidence and humour. The Sheriff's two deputies, Butch Casserole and Sun Tanned Kid, particularly the latter, expended enormous energy in being incompetent, sometimes with the point of the sequence vanishing in the build up. James the Jesse, Winnie's intellectually challanged relation, played by Jim O'Sullivan, provided the quiet comedy.

The whole cast worked well together, though the chorus tended to conserve their energies until the final scene, when the gold for which they had been prospecting had been found. What a pity there were no children in the cast, but it seems there are changing facility difficulties. Home built, and well lit, sets were very good, both for the saloon and the wide open spaces and there was some very creative and well timed sound effects. Costumes too were fine.

Pace was a bit patchy, with timing having its effect. When an otherwise very enthusiastic audience receives a joke and does not react, it tells you something about not only the joke but also the timing. This was an epitome of 'Village' Pantomime, with local people watching local people and everyone having a great deal of fun in the process. A thoroughly enjoyable evening and thank you.

John Warburton - NODA

Tonight is the first night of the Blackmore Players production of Night Must Fall

To book tickets please ring 01277 372386.