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New Forest Players Memorial Hall New Milton January 2003 
THIS panto has a lot going for it: a really tall, effective giant (Mark Philips, presumably on stilts), a superb Austrian Tyrol-type set and costumes, principals who can both sing and act and a lively chorus.What it lacks, despite the presence of no less than three fairies, is the essential magic touch and larger-than-life characters that make a true pantomime. And, sadly, the only truly funny moment at the first performance was an unintentional costume hiccup. Given that the production had a late change of director, I am sure that things will come together during the run. I do hope so, because the potential is certainly there – but the performers need to let themselves go a little more. 
Nevertheless, if this were a play I would be hard-pressed to fault the performances. Youngsters Ryan Scates and Emily Manion are delightful as Jack and Sally, and Bruce Payne and Joe Barton do well as the giant’s Blues Brothers-type sidekicks.Among the adults, Judy Spooner is particularly strong as man-mad Daphne, Jonathan Nicol is an appealing Simon, and John James a strong-voiced Squire Megabeans. I should have liked to see more interaction with the audience from Daniel Saunders as the ‘evil’ Samson and especially from Richard Bushnell, a rather low-key – and small-wardrobed - Widow Withoutabean. Linda Kirkman Courtesy of the Bournemouth Daily Echo Photos courtesy of New Forest Players |
