Robinson Crusoe & the Pirates reviewed by Chris Ingham NODA
Director - Sara Thomson
Musical Director - Anthony D Martin
Choreographer - Kathryn Ford

This panto was great fun throughout – thoroughly corny gags, thigh slapping principal boy, buxom dame and the immortals both bad and good. Loved the green wig for Davy Jones (Roger Butterfield)! What more could one want from a panto? Even the plea to turn off mobiles and cameras started the panto feel as over the PA came the voice of a pirate threatening the plank to any who did not! Good choice of songs and very fitting for the script and sung with gusto by the cast – special mention here of Juanita (Eleanor Haley) who belied her tender years with the strength of her voice, with great backing from the ensemble and dancers. Good work between Marguerita Juicilita (Paul Wainwright) and Nutty Nick (Chris Sheard) – both worked hard with the audience from their very first scene. The thigh slapping came from Robinson (Jen White) – I particularly liked the Friendship trio where he/she was joined by Polly the parrot (Emily McCormack) and Friday (Luke Benn) – possibly a young man to watch here for the future who displayed confidence and excellent stage presence. Great credit must go to Cut Throat (Nick Burch) – excellent characterisation and related so well to the audience (wonderful make up and costume). Sara coped well with her first panto as director – a few problems with sight lines and crowding but a good first production.