THE powers of witch doctors are well-documented, so no-one should have been surprised that this thoroughly enjoyable evening of pantomimic pandemonium was conceived by one Roger Rhinohorn (Pat Jones) in collaboration with Friday, a university educated ex-cannibal with a first in engineering (Brian Travers). Together they conjured up an excellent script crammed with topical references to the Euro, Harry Potter and the ever-travelling Tony Blair.
Brian’s direction was spot-on too, and there was never a dull moment as Robinson Crusoe (Tammy Smith) set off on his journey to Yum-Yum Island to seek the hidden treasure. All the chorus and principals exuded confidence, and there were lovely characterisations from everyone - Sheila, an Australian talking parrot (Roni Merison), Robinson’s daft brother Kevin (Ro Smith), his mum Catherine Zeta (Malcolm Green), sweetheart Bonnie (Claire Palmer) and her father Squire Peveril Point (James Chelton), the dastardly Pirate Redbeard (Steve Haw) and his sidekicks Guppy (Jenny Hardy) and Plankton (Stewart Jones). Not forgetting Hannibal the Cannibal (Lesley Diment-Davies), Chief Chewemupanspitumoutum (Leigh Van De Zande) and Bubbly Babs the Barmaid (Tracey Jones).
The cast also had a real rapport with the audience, and the sets, costumes, music and lighting were first-class too. A great show.
Linda Kirkman
Courtesy of the Bournemout Daily Echo