Pantomime may be a wonderful Christmas entertainment for the family but at its heart is the storytelling that draws the audience in and makes them care about the characters, laugh at the silliness and will them to succeed in their goals. For that to work, the creative team need a great script to create a world in which the story can be told. The Wilde Theatre in South Hill Park Arts Centre in Bracknell is very fortunate to have such a fabulous team. Joyce Branagh’s script, her fourth for the venue is superb, recasting Jack as a girl out to save the town of Windy Bottom from the fearful Giant and his dastardly Victorian henchman who, it is revealed, is a Wizard of Oz-style master of the Giant. She adds references to solar energy and recycling to give it a strong modern message and adds a fresh twist on why Fleshcreep is so evil which gives the story a satisfying resolution. Victoria Spearing set design once again is imaginative, and spectacular given the staging depth and a gradual reveal as layers are peeled back and we get closer to Fort Fear in the clouds. It has pastel cartoonish colouring that is attractive to look at and practical to use. Together they create a perfect setting for the young energetic cast to impress.
Director Adam Stafford (who has directed there for the last five years) and choreographer Charlotte Steele (last 3 staged pantomimes at the Wilde) use this setting cleverly to freshen up the standard routines of milking the cow, the baking sketch, the drill routine, the ghost bench scene and the 12 days of Christmas. While other directors stick to what they know works, this team look to add a twist and fit it more strongly into the overall storytelling and while it may not all work it is incredibly refreshing to see old routines being lovingly evolved and played with. They add some interesting puppet work with a mini Dame and Billy and a cut-out puppet Giant which enliven the usual business of the story too although sharper lighting is required to hide the black “ninja” outfits that are used to present these puppets. And then they add a curious in-cast joke where a small fluffy yellow duck is passed from cast member to cast member on each entrance for no apparent reason apart, I suspect to amuse themselves and keep fresh the performances.
The choreography is wonderfully energetic integrating the cast, the two-person ensemble and the junior ensemble in every routine and with a bright lively opening with an unusual medley of “oh what a beautiful morning” and “old McDonald's farm” which really gets the show off to a lively start and introduces the characters. Michael Aylotis (4th year at the Wilde) is a high-energy Silly Billy bouncing around the stage engaging the audience and rarely standing still while his sister Jack, Rachel Warwick-Clarke, is a calmer more sensible heroine who takes the fight to the Giant. The love interest is Teddy, Ben Featherstone, dressed as if he has just walked in off the street and rather dominated by his mother the Mayor and by Jack. Paul Toulson returns as Titania Trott, a young gently amusing Dame at her best engaging with the poor selected man in the audience who eventually gets dragged on stage. The blue and pink cow that produces blue milk is well played interacting with the cast and kicking of the stool away in perfect comic timing.It took a few scenes to notice but Amy Rhiannon Worth doubles up as the Fairy Flutter entering as required stage right with rhyming couplets and the Welsh Mayor of Windy Bottom who is anxious to do the best for her son but seems powerless to resist the Giant’s demands. Best of all is Adam Jessup as the evil Fleshcreep with a nasty scar from a frisbee accident when he was younger (important plot point) who creates the feel of a traditional melodramatic Victorian villain while charming us with his antics and cackling as he threatens everyone on stage. It is the battle between him and our heroine Jack that keeps this story rolling forward.
It was a school performance I saw, and the enthusiastic young audience loved the show from the beginning singing along to the carols before it started and calling out in all the right places although occasionally the jokes went over the heads like references to price caps! They also do Adults only shows (for those over 18’s) and it is tempting to go back and see what changes they make! Whichever version you see, you are unlikely to see a creatively better show this Christmas, offering good value for money and a proper pantomime story. It shows that experience of the creative process, the venue and traditions are important but a willingness to evolve and innovate is essential to keep Pantomime fresh and to deliver a high-quality show on the tightest of budgets.Review by Nick Wayne
Rating: ★★★★★
Seat: Row K | Price of Ticket: £25.50
