Passion for Panto

HE’S BEHIND YOU….

As the wind and rain seem to be playing percussion on my window-panes, I’m looking forward to more of this season’s local pantos. To my mind you’d be hard pushed to find a better antidote to the winter blues. For not very much money, usually no more than £6 or £7, there can be few other ways to enjoy a night out and a good belly full of laughs; especially when at the expense of seeing Bob Dunn dressed as dressed as the dame, in this case nurse Dotty Dettol !

I’ve always been a great fan of pantomime, and have appeared in a few myself, when I still had the time to dedicate to rehearsals. It is no wonder that this form of amateur entertainment has stood the test of time. No matter what your age it is the ideal way to encourage community cohesion, and to give wannabes the chance to shine and have their fifteen minutes of fame. Whether it’s the corny jokes with a topical local twist, the thigh-slapping principal boy, or the intermission choc ices, there is something for everyone. 

This year, in a return to tradition local councillor and panto veteran, Ros Roderigo, demonstrated her directing skills once again in Cloverleaf’s production of ‘Sleeping Beauty’. Despite illness and accident leading up to the production, there was a real feel of ‘the show must go on’ as the packed house listened to the dulcet tones of leading lady Abi Cousins as Princess Rose, and Helen Rose as Fetch was a real trooper and did not allow a broken wrist to deter her from giving her all. We would have been hard pushed to believe that for Sally Nex it was her first time as an adult to appear on stage, such was enthusiasm and competence.  

No Cloverleaf production would be complete without Richard Roderigo, and although in more of a supporting role, this year was his 53^rd year on stage.

Councillor Martin Wale, as the King, and his wife Nanette, both looked most uncomfortable to find themselves parents again at such a ripe old age, and who could forget Maggie Goodall as Witch Hazel strutting her stuff like someone half her age?

The chain saws cutting a swathe through the cleverly constructed forest of thorns was a highlight, but it was the flower fairies that really did the trick, with their upside down felt flower head hats in bright spring colours. I predict a new trend in headgear this spring. You read it here first!

Many people think that going to see a pantomime is a Christmas treat, but even this late in the season there are still many local productions to be seen.