Review

Menston Thespians

Kirklands Community Centre, Menston

Once again Marjorie Inman has produced a typical village pantomime for Menston Thespians.

The society – on stage for only three nights and one matinee – clearly put in a lot of hard work and only had a very small stage to do it on.

On the first night quite a few of the cast were feeling their way. Dialogue and movement needed to be quicker, which I’m sure would have happened by the second performance.

What I always enjoy with these Menston pantomimes is the choice of music and Marjorie together with musical director Arnold Boddy have certainly chosen some catchy foot-tapping tunes – a couple of Abba and Catch A Falling Star just a few.

The society is very lucky to have the small group of two keyboards, drums and bass guitar. They are great. Unfortunately the guitar and drums tended to overpower the singing on the first night.

There is a children’s chorus, a group of Sunbeams, dancers and chorus. Choreographer Louise Webster has done a splendid job and the standard of dancing has improved tremendously. Laura Emsley assisted with principal work.

Especially effective was the Michael Jackson number Thriller. This could have done with more lighting on what was a very dark stage. As Tommy Tubb, Rob Place moved around the stage with lots of conviction in what he was doing and the character he was playing. He is very good in the comedy role and is a super dancer. I particularly liked the choreographed boxing match.

Good work also comes from his sweetheart Rosie, played by Debz Taylor. Aptly named Princess Beauty, Victoria Wilkinson is much more at ease this year. She is partnered by Sally Clegg as Prince Andrew.

Sally is a fine principal boy and both have pleasing voices. They needed just to sing out more. In fact everyone did.

Steve Millward plays Dame Dolly Tubbs with his usual flair. He has some good comedy sketches.

Keeping track of the storyline of Sleeping Beauty is always difficult. It disappears and reappears. Parts such as the King and Queen, played by John Ealdon and Emma Williment, and the Wicked Fairy, played by Sarah Hobson, are only small but they are important roles and were performed well.

Sharon Howell is adept now at playing the Fairy. I enjoyed her approach to the role of Fairy Godmother. She was serene and kindly. with a sweet singing voice.

Again this year she has a Fairy Helper, performed delightfully by Niamh Howell. Martin Holmes, Mike Waring and Nick Howell complete the cast.

Costumes, which were colourful, were organised and some made by Barbara Hobson and Aileen Gray.

The society’s next production will be the comedy Key for Two in May.

Val Pennett