Yet again a triumph from the Cublington panto crew. A wonderful marriage of Enid Blyton and Robert Louis Stevenson saw The Famous Five, rather unusually, go to Treasure Island. Jane Alexander exuded calm confidence as Julian with Ally Lovatt very professional in the role of Dick. Chris Gibby’s bunches, as Anne, will surely set a new fashion for 2016. Out with the hipster beards and in with bunches! We enjoyed Di Grace’s tom-boyish portrayal of George. Was there a subliminal message in the dungarees? Emma Gurney’s Timmy the dog set a record for the Cublington panto of being completely word perfect. Careful, you’ll do Kim the Prompt out of job. Oh, hang on… Aunt Bessie (surely Aunt Fanny? Ed.) was superbly portrayed by Jan Antosiewicz, channelling his inner Miriam Margoyles and was snatched away by the dastardly pirate chief John Law, channelling his inner Keith Richards, ably assisted by First Mate (newcomer Jennie Chappell) and Roger the Cabin Boy (Chloe Wilson in fine voice).
The action moved from Aunt Bessie’s cottage to a sun kissed Caribbean where we met Creuset the Cannibal – Chris Brandon wearing a flesh coloured, figure-hugging body stocking and a few palm fronds to hide his blushes. At least, I hope he was wearing a flesh-coloured body stocking, otherwise the mind boggles at the near miss we all had, especially the unfortunates in the front two rows. Some things can never be unseen… There was music, with Evelyn the height of professionalism on the piano. Chloe too, sang beautifully. The others… Well, at one point John Law asked the audience to join in if they knew the words. We will if you know the tune, came the reply. Many thanks to all those who made this production possible , such a cherished part of the fabric of Cublington life.
Thanks too, to the writers, the producers, the directors, the ticket sellers, scene shifters, doormen and make up artists, sound technicians, the best boy and the grip (what is that? I’ve always wanted to know). We appreciate all of your efforts, the long dark nights of the soul as you stumble to rehearsals without even the possibility of a pint in the Unicorn afterwards as you’re doing dry January, and the arguments over who gets to wear those dungarees this time.
We loved it all.
See you next year.