Review by Paul Towers, 15/12/23
Puss In Boots
Directed by John Bale
Produced by Leicester Drama Society
At The Little Theatre til Saturday Sunday 7th January 2024
“A most traditional of pantomimes”
This year’s Little Theatre pantomime is the most traditional of pantomimes, Puss In Boots.
Written by director and star John Bale this is the story of Tom (Simon Butler), the late miller’s son, returning penniless from his travels to, hopefully, claim his inheritance and marry his childhood sweetheart, Princess Lilly (Alice Marshall). Unfortunately the evil landlord Malavort (a splendidly camp Joe Middleton) puts a dampener on things by suddenly calling in the miller’s huge loans and leaving the family without anything. Tom’s younger brother Silly Billy (a wonderfully energetic Abdullah Henly) tries to help but, of course, only makes things worse.
As Queen Camilla John Bale’s Dame indulges his imagination with an every more outrageous selection of frocks alongside his sidekick Chamberlain Fusspot (a wonderfully comedic Russell Webster) who break each other up when they wander off script. Of course panto wouldn’t be panto without a Good Fairy and Natasha Ann-Carr’s Spirit of Cat-Land fills in the narrative gaps while the titular Puss in Boots is thigh slappingly played by Rose Bale.
All the elements of the best pantomimes are here, lots of audience participation, glittering costumes and awful puns. What’s not to like?
To fill out the scenes there are a bevy of eight dancers and singers who perform the many shoe-horned in old and new pop songs, as is traditional. The opening night was full to the brim with over-excited youngsters and parents.
The sets designed by Jacob Martin are very professional, as are the extraordinary costumes overseen by Mr Bale.
Puss In Boots is at The Little Theatre until Sunday 7th January
Pics: Dave Morris
No comments:
Post a Comment