* Stromboli (left) is played by Daniel May,
Tagliatelle (right) is Aled Morris and Macaroni (front) is Shea Ferron.
Llangollen Pantomime Group are doing a marvellous job with Pinocchio – and that’s no lie.
A massive
cast and crew numbering almost 40 are pulling out all the stops to deliver a
stylish and amusing portrayal of the tale of the little puppet boy whose nose
grows to enormous proportions every time he tells a fib.
The
production, based on the nineteenth century Italian book The Adventures
of Pinocchio and the 1940s Disney film, has been adapted for the
Llangollen stage by the show’s director, Justine Bradey backed by assistant
director Samantha Fletcher.
And a
great job they’re doing of this glitzy production which is running at
Llangollen Pavilion until this Sunday.
The young
girl taking the title role is a mini marvel. Having a whole show revolving
around her doesn’t seem to bother the very young Sophie Siddall in the
slightest.
The
confidence she displays when it comes to delivering her lines – many of them
packed with wise-cracks - moving around the stage and interacting with the rest
of the cast is just remarkable for her tender years and this is highly unlikely
to be her last on-stage appearance.
But
Sophie is far from being left to shoulder the burden on her own because backing
her is a fantastic bunch of performers, not least of which are the comedy duo
of Shea Ferron as Macaroni and Aled Morris as Tagliatelle.
This is
not their first successful stage pairing as they’re seasoned veterans of
Llangollen Operatic’s shows, both its senior and Young ‘uns junior productions,
and always big audience pleasers.
It’s no
different with this panto where their quickfire knockabout routines have been
polished to perfection.
Old
Geppetto, the Italian village carpenter who fashions young Pinocchio from a
chunk of wood, is neatly played by Llan panto regular Neil Barrett who appears –
in a good way - to have used TV chef Gino D’Acampo as his voice coach. He’s
been given some great lines which he delivers with great style.
The other
half of his comedy pairing is David Lyne as Prosecco who in usual panto terms
would be the dame. The part fits him as comfortably as his deliciously
over-the-top costumes.
Every good
panto needs a decent villain whom the audience can hiss and boo at their every
snarling appearance. And Daniel May doesn’t disappoint as the circus master
Stromboli who sees the stringless Pinocchio as a great revenue earner and tries
to steal the little chap away for a life in the big top.
Hopping
on stage at regular intervals to help keep us briefed on the plot is young Harvey
Barrett as the green-clad Jim the Cricket. He’s another Llan panto regular who
never fails to impress.
Providing
admirable support for the main characters is a small army of fellow performers –
mainly youngsters - who act, sing and dance their way through the two acts in
great style.
And helping
to weld everything together is a live and very lively seven-piece band which lays
on some epic numbers from big show material to the novelty Shaddap Your Face in
which the audience is encouraged to sing along with Geppetto and Prosecco.
A lot of
thought has clearly gone into the colourful set and costumes just as one has come to
expect.
Stir in
plenty of opportunities for the crowd to yell along with the cast and even a
distribution of sweets and you have another perfect panto from this talented
outfit.
* Tickets
are available online at www.ticketsource.co.uk/llangollenpanto or
in person from Gwyn Davies Butchers, Jade Hair & Beauty, Dee Valley Produce
or by calling 01978 860297.
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