Mosey on down for panto with a difference (From Swindon Advertiser)

Mosey on down for panto with a difference

8:00am Friday 29th January 2010 in

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WOOTTON Bassett Light Operatic Society is one of the societies I have been involved with over many years.

How can I not be biased towards them then? I joined an invited audience at their panto, written by Jim Sperinck, and as always, I am honest about what I see. After all, like it or not it is only my opinion.

I’m afraid where pantos are concerned I’m very much a traditionalist. This was a modern piece that actually had very little story or magic. True pantomime should be magical as well as funny and I didn’t find the script funny. Maybe it was just me.

As always, a lot of hard work went into this production. Casting is important and amateur companies have to rearrange parts or substitute the different genders in roles.

In this case I felt the lack of male performers certainly affected the way the piece came over.

However, one man shone for me and that was Vince Lawrence, as Buffalo Bill. He is a natural on stage.

Stuart Dark, as the Sheriff, gave a good performance, but lost his lines on several occasions. His trusty deputies, played by Tammy Hollands and Elli Smart did well.

Clint (Ellen Lawrence) and Jane, (Kayleigh Stanley), were the principal girl and boy, singing their songs well -although in some they suddenly sang in sweet English voices after speaking American accents for dialogue.

I missed a true panto Dame, even if Sheila Dunn played her character with gusto. We did have a panto horse which I'm sure the kids will love.

There were lots of opportunities for the audience to get involved and they did, including me.

Joining the adults on stage were the younger members of WBLOS, The WBLETS. Please smile.

Costumes and scenery were good, with quick scene changes.

WBLOS is a light operatic society, but I felt the songs could have been simpler. There were some definite tuning issues in the chorus numbers. Saying that, good changes of lyrics were made to match the moment.

I spoke to other members of the audience as they left and they’d enjoyed it.

So, if you want something a bit different the show runs until Saturday. I’ll be there again, if they let me in.

- ROS HOLLANDS