Burnham & District Pantomime Society's Puss In Boots

Burnham & District Pantomime Society present Puss In Boots

‘Oh I do like to be beside the seaside in January’. ‘Oh yes I do’!

But for one reason only and that’s to see what’s happening at The Princess Theatre. It is here that Burnham and District Pantomime Society are presenting Puss in Boots.

The script was written by Lorna Blair and Lynsey Bissell. Lorna was also in the driving seat as director so I was certain she would leave no stone unturned.

I must confess this pantomime doesn’t crop up on the radar that often so was very much looking forward to hearing this story again.

We expect a lot from this award winning troupe but did they keep their standards up this season? I think they most certainly did.

The casting was ‘bang on’ and all principals, senior and junior chorus

showed total confidence and maturity well beyond their years.

The show moved along at a steady pace and never once laboured.

We were treated to some talented principals too.

Emma Twigg gave a purrfect performance of Puss with delightful costume and incredible make-up to compliment her character, while Aunty Windy, played by Taylor Tasker, dominated the stage in ‘her’ outrageous dresses and wigs and at just seventeen years of age gave a most impressive performance.

Flour played by Shannon Diack work well alongside the dame with boundless energy keeping her audience on their toes. Creating plenty of mess on stage is exactly what we like to see.

I enjoyed the mystery surrounding the loveable Gypsy Zanda played by Leigh Organ Rose. A really great performance was this. You can read my palm at Bridgwater Fair later in the year Leigh!

By contrast we had the nasty Lord Roger played by Alistair Murray. Now here’s someone you would never want to meet on the end of Burnham Pier late at night. A faultless and compelling performance indeed. Well done Alistair.

All other principals also played their roles well and sorry I cannot name everyone.

For me the song of the night was ‘What’s New Pussycat’ sung with gusto by the juniors.

All sets were appropriate. I especially loved the woodland scene with all those bunnies, reminding us that spring may be on the way. The Ogres castle was most memorable and I loved those hands!

All scene changes were swiftly and silently undertaken (well done Black gang)

All costumes were society made to an incredible high standard and the walk-down would have been the envy of many societies. 

This was another lovely show from this established society.

A ‘Top Cat’ performance from each of you that I thoroughly enjoyed.

Well done indeed.

Nigel Ford

Moderator