Hair-raising Rapunzel

Once again we were treated to a pantomime written specially for TADS by Lea Pryer, and the cast relished their chance to perform this unusual story, while keeping the traditions of pantomime intact, writes Nova Horley.

I loved what was literally a book flat at the back of the stage – which gave the title, then each page opened out for various scenes. Very cleverly done and it really worked well. There were also some nice lighting effects.

Rapunzel’s tower, central to the story, was nicely constructed, and I loved the way Grizelda and the Prince were hauled up into the tower on Rapunzel’s plaited hair – most amusing, but a good way of coping with a tricky situation! The youngsters in the audience loved it.

Costumes were colourful and good-looking. I thought the music choices were mostly suitable, and there were some lovely harmonies from the cast.

Susie Conder was a lovely Fairy Philomena, the narrator of the piece. She really got the joy and light touch of a Fairy in her performance. Susie was nicely backed in musical numbers by the Philettes, a charming trio.

Chloe Palmer was an appealing Rapunzel. I liked her approach to her role, and she certainly looked the part. The relationship between her and Grizelda and the Prince were very good.

Mike Collins played the Prince – a different role for him, and I think that in the main he pulled it off well. I particularly liked the scenes with Rapunzel in the tower as he struck just the right note.

Rory Smith, as the Prince’s sidekick Spencer, played the slightly laid-back, dim character so well, and was a good contrast to the go-get-‘em attitude of the Prince.

Rachel Birks pulled out all the stops as the evil Enchantress Grizelda.

She delivered a horribly wicked character to the full, and with her evil gargoyles – Janet Bray as Snigger and Harry Rodgers as Snarl – we had a great trio to boo at. I loved being able to boo and hiss them!

The trio of delightful young ladies, Daisy Kennedy, Freya Lalji and Alice Wills, as the flowers in the Baroness’s garden, did their dance number well. They looked so lovely, and they sang out really well.

Andrew Naish was Tess Coe the Dame of the piece. He lacked a little of the full-on crassness of a Dame, but on the whole kept it going well.

Kathryn Durancer gave an eerie characterisation as Death, and I liked the Ant & Dec scene, with Michelle Chamberlain.

It was nice and lively, they interacted well and gave us a light side to a scene fraught with danger for Rapunzel.

The chorus supported the cast well, and I liked the choreography. It was kept simple and therefore was effective.

There were a couple of places where the pace flagged, and the cast lost a bit of momentum, but it lifted again and carried on apace.

All in all a nicely written and performed pantomime, and good to see something different from TADS again, always a bonus.