{"id":189,"date":"2015-01-24T16:36:23","date_gmt":"2015-01-24T16:36:23","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/cpwp.comptonplayers.co.uk\/?page_id=189"},"modified":"2018-08-14T00:09:01","modified_gmt":"2018-08-13T23:09:01","slug":"bobby-shaftoe","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.comptonplayers.co.uk\/comptonplayers-c\/?page_id=189","title":{"rendered":"Bobby Shaftoe"},"content":{"rendered":"

by Dave Hawkins<\/span><\/p>\n

10th – 12th November 2011<\/h2>\n

Loosely based on the well-known Northumbrian nursery rhyme, this panto tells a tale of separated lovers, dastardly pirates, jolly Jack tars and a search for buried treasure.<\/p>\n

Also featuring are the Pantomime Dame, of course, along with a host of others, from castaways to red-Indian princesses to boatswain to pantomime cow. There\u2019s even a sea-battle to keep the special effects team puzzling!<\/p>\n

\n

\"Bobby<\/a><\/p>\n

The Cast<\/strong><\/p>\n

Townsfolk: Cathy Leatham, Caitlin Leatham, Liz Saxton, Helen Saxton, Hannah Belton, Wendy Dixon, Fearne Cooper and Sharon Cook
\nSailors: Ian Hickling, Paul Shave, Robin Hawkins, Eric Saxton, Shane Lambourne, Simon Ball
\nMother Oakham: Andy Nunn
\nPintpot: Peter Whitworth
\nPolly Oakham: Lauren Adams
\nPurser: Rob Bell
\nCalico Jack: Michael Sheperia
\nEzekial Hands: H Connolly
\nGinger Tom: Simon Ball
\nMr Simm: Brenda Prior
\nBlack Bob Spinnaker: Mark Bailey
\nGranny: Liz Saxton
\nLieutenant Cherry: Nick Roberts
\nBos\u2019n: Paul Shave
\nPrincess Flo: Hannah Belton
\nAbraham Yasser: Shane Lambourne
\nKowalski: Ian Hickling
\nDaisy the Cow: Helen Saxton & Hannah Belton
\nBen Gnu: Charlie East
\nSkipper: Caitlin Leatham
\nPing Pong: Charlie East
\nSquatting Octopus: Ian Hickling
\nMini Cooper: Cathy Leatham
\nDancers: Wendy Dixon, Fearne Cooper and Sharon Cook
\nBobby Shaftoe: Naomi Read
\nBraves: Helen Saxton & Liz SaxtonProduced by Eric Saxton
\nWriter\/Producer Dave Hawkins
\nAssistant Producers Helen Saxton and H Connolly<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Newbury Weekly News review<\/h3>\n
\n

Yo ho ho…<\/h2>\n

There are two types of pirates: bad and very, very bad. According to Dave Hawkins\u2019 clever and very entertaining pantomime Bobby Shaftoe, that is.<\/p>\n

Getting the balance right in an original script is challenging (I know, having dabbled in a past life) but this production was chockfull of good ideas, traditional and quirky comedy and lots of swashbuckling action – to please children and adults alike. It was a little thin musically, and the pace dipped a couple of times, but with a host of colourful and well-played characters, local and topical references it all kept it rolling along to a delighted Friday night audience.<\/p>\n

In a rousing opening chorus of There is Nothing Like a Dame, we were introduced to Mother Oakham, played by Andy Nunn in a rather laidback and understated style, but nonetheless connecting with the audience charmingly and with loads of jolly quips.<\/p>\n

Mark Bailey as the very, very bad pirate, Black Bob Spinnaker, with a penchant for gizzards, had tremendous presence and balanced his evil streak with a deft touch of comedy. Lauren Adams as Polly Oakham, turned in a winning and sterling performance and Naomi Read confidently struck just the right notes as the eponymous hero Bobby Shaftoe.<\/p>\n

With a named cast list of some 23 characters I can only commend the players for the way in some of their seasoned actors took on small roles – but this added to the strength of the production – giving a whole host of lovely characterisations.<\/p>\n

Among the many performances I enjoyed, and there were many, was Rob Bell (Purser), Ian Hickling (Squatting Octopus), Hannah Belton (Princess Flo) and Charlie East (Ben Gnu) – not forgetting the Gorilla, Daisy the Cow and the beautiful mermaid – the list should go on.<\/p>\n

With good production values, including, four terrific sets and great costumes, this was a heart warming production that ticked all the boxes for a village pantomime, congratulations to producers Eric Saxton and Dave Hawkins.<\/p>\n

TREVOR DOBSON<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n