Broadstone Pantomime Productions 
Broadstone War Memorial Hall, Broadstone 
Carole Gadsby
10 January 2025
OH YES IT WAS – Absolutely fabulous.
This is the first time I have reviewed this Pantomime Company so had no idea what to expect. Boy, was I in for a treat, pure fun, laughter, hilarity and warmth. The intimate space at the Broadstone Memorial Hall was perfect for this beloved tale which was given a fresh, lively and quirky twist thanks to an original script penned by David Gigg. It was brimming with sharp, topical humour and clever local references that had the audience laughing throughout, starting with Evie Maycock, who played Tom Jones the purr-fect cat. She greeted us when we came in and meowed her way around the audience until the performance started and treated us to her cheeky personality.
From the minute the Fairy Godmother, Jenny Hughes, and Matt Tyler, who played Buttons, set foot on the stage, and the unique way they gave out the safety announcements which were brilliantly transformed into a hilarious musical number, we were captivated, setting the scene for what was a very entertaining evening. Their professionalism, confidence, fluidity and experience shone making it a joy to watch.
Debbie Southern, who played the Evil Step-Mother, brought her wickedness to the stage and you felt she was in control of her 2 daughters, the Ugly Sisters, David Gigg as Lambrini and Emma-Jane Green as Chardonnay. Emma complimented his larger-than-life character, and it was obvious they had a connection which made it almost believable that they were sisters.
Cinderella played by Slaney Gibson was a delight, she sang beautifully and her rendition of ‘I Could Have Danced All Night’ was indeed one of the highlights of the show. Sophie Cridland who played Prince Charmin was well cast in her role and looked indeed like the Prince looking for his Princess.
Donald and Darcey, played by Vincene Sherry and Leah Jane respectively, were a superb team complimenting each other both with their appearance and with their humour. Absolutely loved Leah Jane, she brought such warmth and love to her role along with being an excellent dancer and singer.
Jenny Davidson, The Town Cryer, was excellent. I have never seen this role played in this way before and it really worked in contrast to all the fun and hilarity going on with the other performers.
King Gerald (Terry Madge) and Queen Shirley (Cheryl Connor) again were a very good pairing and developed their roles together as doting Aunt and Uncle to Prince Charmin. Queen Mother (Lesley James) was superb, I loved the character that David Grigg created here, and Lesley certainly did it justice, milking it to the hilt.
Market Traders, Malachi Pike and Suzi Macleod, were really good with their competitiveness and haggling. Malachi kept up his role during the interval, encouraging us to purchase bags of sweeties for £1. As Malachi said in his blurb, it is his first Panto, however I am sure it will not be his last as he was having an amazing time on and off stage. Loved Dominic Parsons as Beggar Boy, very endearing and sweet. Also Khanyita Moy-Bird as Richi and Sophie Brackenborough as Boris. They both embraced all their parts with enthusiasm and gusto making them an essential part of the ensemble.
The musical choices were spot-on with great sing-alongs of modern hits that had the audience clapping, cheering and even dancing in the aisles. The cast’s energy was infectious and the interactive moments where audience members were invited to join in created a warm and welcoming atmosphere that truly captured the spirit of pantomime.
The Crew were an essential part of the production, and I felt they did a first-class job with scene changes, lighting, music, costumes, makeup and all the invisible things that happen to make a show a success. A couple of noisy scene changes but I am sure this will be ironed out by this afternoon’s performance.
Overall, a fantastic night’s entertainment, which showcased local talent and community spirit. With its witty script, engaging performances and wonderful audience interaction, it was a thoroughly entertaining experience that left everyone smiling. This production was a true reminder of how magical local theatre can be.
