Joy Watters reviews Perth Theatre's Christmas show for the season.
Perth Theatre continues its tried and tested formula for Christmas entertainment with a great panto that entertains all ages with fun and quality to the fore. Written by Alan McHugh, this version sees the characters transported to Italy and, more particularly, to Mother Goose's circus.
Rachel O'Riordan's production teems with life and engages within seconds. At the centre is Mother Goose, with Barrie Hunter bringing not only a lovely pair of pins but that dame mix of ladylike and rough as you like.
Fairy Fortune (Sarah McCardie) is an endearing schoolmarmly character who quickly brings the audience to book and re-caps the plot every so often with Q & A sessions.
The circus folk, who are not exactly at the top of their game, immediately make a connection with the audience. Jennifer Hainey is an endearing Tina Tumbler given to falling over a lot while her chum Luigi Stromboli (Antony Strachan) is a big cuddly teddy bear of a strongman.
The baddie is Diavolo, the devilish ringmaster who threatens to take over the circus. Michael Moreland in the role has the strangest of things: a very poor cod Italio-Scots accent. He almost needs surtitles to be understood but nevertheless cuts a smart figure in his blaze of diabolical red.
This is fun panto but with class. It looks great with designer Gary McCann embedding his settings, from Big Top to beautiful Italian terrace, in the theatre's proscenium arch to great effect.
Lizzie Powell's lighting also takes cognisance of the past; the circus folk are beautifully illuminated, bringing scenes of Edwardian entertainment to mind.
Perth pantos have always had a strong element of local jokes in them, and this year is no different. There's also the point where the action grinds to a halt to extend various greetings to members of the audience and to bring down the song sheet. This year it seemed a bit of a shame as the story was bowling along so well.
The three-piece band led by MD Stuart Watson was delightfully in tune with the mood of the piece. In fact, each element of the production came together to make the most of the festive material.
Run ended.
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