Review for Robinson Crusoe
& The Pirates - January 2008
Review by Nigel Kerton (17.01.08)
The Drama Group at Pewsey has pulled off another pantomime success
with Robinson Crusoe & The Pirates ... Oh yes they have!
Who says so? The 50 or so kids who attended Saturday's matinee performance
and who enjoyed almost every minute. I say almost because there was an unforgiveable
delay at the start when all the lights went out leaving the auditorium in
the dark for several minutes. One parent even called out for the lights
to go back on because her child was panicking. And having a first act that
is 90 minutes long is not a great idea for children, who as we all know
want to use the loo when one is not available.
Once again the members of the Pewsey Vale Amateur Dramatic Society put on
a well rehearsed and well directed performance (credit to Martin Clifton).
For those who missed it last week it is on again tomorrow and on Saturday
when there will be a matinee and evening show.
The set and the lighting were superb. The microphones for the principal
players were a good idea so that the audience could hear even the softest
voice. There were some excellent and vivid dance scenes thanks to choreographer
Rachel Veale who was assisted by Vicki Underwood, with some made more memorable
by clever use of ultra violet lighting. The dozen or so young dancers appeared
to enjoy their role.
The parts were all well cast by Martin Clifton and it is not every day you
get to see a high-ranking Police Officer dressed up as Pantomime Dame. There
was plenty of slapstick and cheesy jokes with double meanings that adults
laughed at but which went over the heads of the kids.
Davy Jones whose ambition was to spirit away sailors in his undersea locker
wore a horrific looking mask that probably frightened some of the audience
- the adults that is - because the kids appeared to love the character and
booed and hissed with relish whenever he appeared.
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