It was only 4 weeks prior to my visit to see the Jubilee Players perform “King Arthur” that I had seen the very same panto done by a highly professional amateur (please forgive that description) group in Gloucestershire, and was therefore keen to see how Jubilee Players came out in comparison. Well, they came out very well indeed, even though their stage is so much smaller, their cast too and I imagine also that their coffers and hence their expenditure is also much smaller than this other group.
BUT all in all, Jubilee Players panto had so much more to offer in the way of fun, wonderful costumes and scenery and above all, enthusiasm.
Merlin (Brian Lloyd) was a sight to behold with his beautifully long wig and beard and received a round of applause with his first entrance and quite rightly too. The dame was untraditionally a female, Jane Risebrow, and she was as good a dame as I have seen and slotted in very nicely with King Arthur (Graham Blyth), whom she bullied throughout. Graham’s comic timing, as always was spot on and playing the role as a ‘posh’ King was good thinking on behalf of the Director, Neil Phillips. Squirt (Tom Phillips) and Sally (Ros Chamberlin) were delightful as a couple, and even though one of their songs went slightly awry, it only added to the entertainment. The panto ‘Baddies’, Morgana and Mordred, Gay Lloyd and Graham Brakenbury respectively, were excellent, though more funny than frightening. But once again the costumes were so, so right and even Gay’s Tina Turner wig complimented the outfit. Graham’s wig, however, seemed to have a mind of its own at times and we sat there waiting for it to come off and while it nearly did once, we were disappointed it stayed on his head, tho’ not always in place. Smoulder the little dragon

was wonderful and young Sophie Bray did a wonderful job with him and everybody loved him/her. The romantic pair, Sir Lancelot and Olivia were Hannah Brodie and Sarah Phillips. Hannah has figure that every principal boy needs and she acted and sang beautifully but I do wish she would not look upwards so much as we would like to see her pretty face full on. She is a very strong actress and with Sarah playing the ‘young girl, never been kissed’ role they worked well together.
The songs and music chosen were well picked but I have to say that some of the chorus members were struggling a bit with some of the words and were held together by a few strong singers. With a small cast and stage, forgotten words show up more to the audience and whilst they were dressed in great costumes (this down to Gay Lloyd and her helpers) songs are important. When a principal loses his or her words, it's funny to us in the audience, but not in the case of the chorus. Scenery, as always, was wonderful as was the whole panto itself. A great night out for anybody to enjoy, especially with Charles providing all kinds of refreshments behind that bar of his. Roll on next year.

Judi Ingram

www.JudiIngram.co.uk