SUMMARY
The Club regularly produces pantos with the essentials of funny dialogue, ribald jokes, innuendos and double entendres; which together with a cast experienced in portraying outrageous characters guarantees a good show. Added to the essentials were good scenery, funny costumes and well thought-out lighting and sound. This show was a credit to Paul Johnson who wrote, co directed and performed one of the main roles Congratulations to all concerned.

REPORT
The show had a strong opening with a gaggle of hobgoblins making their way from the rear of the auditorium to the stage. The afternoon preceded with the appearance of Mark Stannett as Tabitha Potts, Red Riding Hood's mother. Mark is someone who really knows how to interact with the audience. He looked splendid in his glamorous costume (one of many) and set the scene for all the 'oh yes you do, oh no you don'ts', the 'behind yous' which are the prerequisites for all pantos.

The other crucial requirement for a panto is a familiar story line replete with various goodies and baddies. In this respect the club benefits hugely from the presence of Paul Johnson. Paul produced a tour de force: both writing and directing the show (with the help of Mark Stannett and Neil Morgan) and then playing the splendid part of the big bad wolf.

The traditional plot of Red Riding Hood was improved by a few twists and turns and some additional villains in the guise of:
The naughty Goblins played by Frances Holmes, Clare Pepperell and Jake Flint (who managed a very animated portrayal of a goblin)
The evil Root family, played by Wayne Mensah, Paula Fitzgerald and Rachel Jones. I like the way you had adapted the character stereotypes so that the hero was more drippy than dashing which I think added to the richness of the plot: Prince Drip was played by Neil Morgan ably supported by his page Primley played by Jenny Davies.

The lovely Red riding Hood was apparently childlike yet ably managed those around her. Mandy Skinner was the eponymous Red Riding Hood she was all innocence and loveliness just as the big bad wolf would like. Paul Johnson looked great as the Big Bad Wolf and was able to interact with the audience in exactly the same enjoyable way as Mark Stannett.

Jack Hacker the handsome hero woodcutter was played well by Samuel Townsend (I'm sure that everyone was annoyed when they realised that he had been left out of the cast list but these things happen). I enjoyed Ada Halley performance. She created a loveable yet determined Grandma. The three little pigs and the ghost of Jeremy Gripewater were all excellently played by Niki Bencic.

The technical aspects of the show were of a very high standard. The costumes were all excellent; colourful, exciting and great fun; I particularly liked the goblin's ears but was sorry to see that a couple of people had forgotten to take their watches off. I loved the multipurpose tree scenery which really came into its own when the lights went down and the luminous paint picked out the edges of the trees.

The Front Of House team were attentive and well presented as was the catering team.

I thought that your handbill and programme were once again simple yet striking. I noticed that the programme included information on the Club, background to the panto story and a list of previous pantos all of which I think adds to the audience's enjoyment of the show. I particularly like the inclusion of the puzzle and I'm sure that the cast all loved the images in the biogs.