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WHAT a pleasure it was to see so many youngsters of all ages participating
enthusiastically and with such talent in Faringdon Dramatic Society's pantomime, The
Sleeping Beauty. They sang well, danced well, and acted well. It was a pleasure to be entertained by them - and to see such a splendid array of costumes. The Society, happily returned on this occasion to its spiritual home at the Community Centre Theatre, continues to tap
Faringdon's rich thespian vein with great success - introducing newcomers both youthful and adult. One such is Laura Thompson, whose confident performance belied the delicacy of her gentle
demeanour. She was brought out of her 100 years of sleep as Princess Beauty by a
more seasoned young performer, Christina Willett, as Prince Richard.
Another debutant was Andrew Logan, having his first stab at playing a panto dame, and
bringing all the classic essentials to the part - though, if he is persuaded to do it again, he might work at a
rather more inclusive relationship with the auditorium. It is a trick that comes naturally to the more experienced
performers - notably Dave Headey, endowing his King Fred with a Geordie accent that helped put across many a well-timed funny line, and Debbie Lock, bouncing energetically in and out of the plot as Bimbo the Court Jester.
Among some of the younger newcomers, there was instant rapport with the audience for two of the rivals for Princess Beauty's
hand - Tom Woolman shuffling on as the Prince of China, and Hannah Logan as captivating with her north European accent as in her fetching all-fur ensemble. Indeed, the audience was charmed by
all the rival princes, including Ben Scotcher-Lane (the Prince of Mexico) and James Barter (Prince of Ceylon), as they were by the three fairies, of Happiness, Beauty and Love, (Catherine Walden, Rebecca Lock
and Jenny Barter).
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Then there was Josh Smith, who took command of one whole scene in a virtuoso performance as the not-so-dumb Dum Dum, son of the Wicked Witch,
Carrabosse. I look forward to seeing how he copes with a solid part in a straight play - I hope he is given the challenge.
As for the Wicked Witch herself - well, Sarah Varnom made such a good job of this classic character that she might find
herself typecast for future pantos! She has certainly booked her reservation should the Faringdon players ever go for a production of
Macbeth!
Debra Keasal's commanding presence as the Queen of the Fairies gave us
all great comfort that good would ultimately triumph over evil - despite the creepy attentions of the King of the
Spiders (Luke Gerry and, when he developed appendicitis, his stand-in, James Green), the Vitriolic Vulture (Mario Simmons) and the Wicked Witch's bodyguard rats (Robert Harte and Sammy
Crook).
Jeni Summerfield made the most of a cameo part in her role as
Lady Pamela Tooth, with designs on the court jester, while Mike Durham used his vocal talents as the authoritative Chamberlain.
Helen Barter, Joan Lee, Carol McDowell, Irene and Walther Schoonenberg and Karen Whiffen led the chorus of courtiers and dancers: Sammy Allen, Naomi Bullock, Claire Bryant, Aaron Crook, Larabeth Gerry, James Green, Kirsty Hatton, Roxanne Larkin, Lizzie Morphew, Alex Oliver, Emily Payn, Chloe Penman, Poppy Scotcher-Lane, Kathryn
Wiffen and Kathryn Yarwood.
Director Carole Tappenden, did wonders - given that there were so many children that they had to be rehearsed in two separate groups, and that the theatre itself was used only for the last few days before performances began.
I.S
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