Joy Watters is highly impressed with Perth Theatre's panto.
Artistic director Rachel O'Riordan takes her leave of Perth Theatre on a high note with a quality panto, which grabs the audience of all ages from the moment the lights go up, enveloping them in sheer fun. Not only is it time to say goodbye to O'Riordan leaving after a highly successful three-year tenure, but it's also au revoir to the theatre as it closes for a two-year refurbishment.
The century-old Perth Theatre is the perfect place for a traditional panto, and this year everyone has pulled out the stops to make it a memorable occasion (oh yes, they have) because Perth knows the sheer pleasure to be had in shouting at the baddie, singing louder than the other half of the audience, groaning at the jokes and ‘oohing’ and ‘aahing’ at the sheer colourfulness of it all as the girl gets her Prince.
There's a great new take on the story too as Alan McHugh's script takes cognisance of the theatre's imminent closure. Cinders' home is now a theatre which the wicked stepmother manages, badly, because she wants to close it. The importance of theatre to a community is to the fore in the writing and, indeed, the show itself makes the point with two hours' of sheer entertainment.
The Ugly Sisters are Luvvie and Darling, with Barrie Hunter and Michael Moreland revelling in the roles to get us rolling in the aisles. Anne Kidd as the Good Fairy Florence Olivier is a quirky delight while Helen Mackay is a charming Cinders, making a sweet couple with handsome James Rottger as the lovely Prince. Cameron Mowat turns in an engaging performance as his couthy right-hand man, Dandini.
Becky Minto has excelled herself with stunning design, from the theatre sets to beautifully detailed costumes, from uber-smart country-wear (well, it is Perthshire) to gorgeous formal wear. It may only be three-strong but the band brings a much bigger feel to the music, keeping the mood bowling along.
Runs at Perth Theatre until January 4.
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