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‘The best, yet!’... ‘A marvellous show!’...‘a great night out!’... were some of the compliments directed at Lochgilphead Drama Club by the three delighted and very responsive audiences who watched the club’s lively and entertaining pantomime, ‘Robinson Crusoe and the Pirates’ by Paul Reakes, on November 9-10 in Ardrishaig Public Hall.
Each performance got off to a rousing start provided by the town crier, (Trevor Cole), followed by the spirited dancing of the townspeople, played by nine energetic boys and girls, (Stewart MacLean, Emma MacLean, Fiona Cupples, Iona Baillie, Alasdair Mackintosh, Nicola Ellis, Kirsten Way, Katie Glencross, Christina MacLean). The children also danced as the happy holidaymakers, fought as fearless Pirates and gave the audiences a fright as the little horrors! Two of them, Alasdair and Stewart, were also sailors aboard the Dancing Dolphin.
At the heart of this pantomime was treasure and how to get your hands on it. Robinson Crusoe, (Beverly Barclay) believed the treasure was his as did the evil Captain Blackbeard, (Jim Thorpe), along with his henchman, Patch (Lewis Thorpe); but the daring and mysterious female pirate, the Crimson Hawk (Lucille Kelly), laughed heartily as she claimed the treasure. The resolute disciplinarian, Captain Bowsprit, (Joan Garrett), with an eye on a share of the treasure, agreed to transport everyone to the desert island where the treasure was buried. And to help her wee boy came Robinson’s mum, the irrepressible Ma Crusoe (Ruth Morrison), with an endless stream of one-liners delivered with great aplomb. Ma was ably supported in the comedy department by her other useless but loveable son, Willie (Jim Innes). Chasing Willie throughout the adventure was the fragile but determined Bessie Bowsprit, (Jeanna Sandilands), the Captain’s daughter, who, after many tribulations finally landed her heart’s desire. She was a scream!At the heart of this pantomime was treasure and how to get your hands on it. Robinson Crusoe, (Beverly Barclay) believed the treasure was his as did the evil Captain Blackbeard, (Jim Thorpe), along with his henchman, Patch (Lewis Thorpe); but the daring and mysterious female pirate, the Crimson Hawk (Lucille Kelly), laughed heartily as she claimed the treasure. The resolute disciplinarian, Captain Bowsprit, (Joan Garrett), with an eye on a share of the treasure, agreed to transport everyone to the desert island where the treasure was buried. And to help her wee boy came Robinson’s mum, the irrepressible Ma Crusoe (Ruth Morrison), with an endless stream of one-liners delivered with great aplomb. Ma was ably supported in the comedy department by her other useless but loveable son, Willie (Jim Innes). Chasing Willie throughout the adventure was the fragile but determined Bessie Bowsprit, (Jeanna Sandilands), the Captain’s daughter, who, after many tribulations finally landed her heart’s desire. She was a scream!
Before arriving on the desert island, our heroes had to contend with being shipwrecked and cast adrift in a bath, almost eaten by a huge shark, being missed by the Vital Spark and incarcerated in Davy Jones’ Locker, ruled by King Neptune (Trevor Cole).
On the idyllic desert island many surprises awaited our heroes including a troop of exotic belly dancers (‘Read My Hips’ Sal Nicholson, Amanda Fearn, Mary Johnston, Rachel Percival, Moira Baxter, Jules Gray); the fiercesome but playful Attila the Gorilla, (Peter Wright); the mysterious Valkyries, (Amanda Fearn, Sal Nicholson); and finally the shipwrecked Manchester United Friday, Man Friday for short (Adele Redman). The Crimson Hawk defeated Blackbeard; the treasure was found; Molly and Robinson, Ma and Captain Bowsprit, Bessie and Willie were married; and everyone lived happily ever after!
The costumes, for the adults, by Ishbel MacArthur and Joan Garrett were fabulous. The colourful scenery and props were built by Bill Studholme, Gordon Hutton and Peter Wright and painted by Jim Morrison. Front of house was organised by Ruth Morrison with Linda Innes, Betty Hutton, Jenifer Philimore and the Raffle Queen, Liz Fraser. The children’s parents deserve thanks for their wholehearted support and especially for the kids’ costumes. Make-up was cleverly applied by Vicki Lyon. The sound effects were deftly played by Donald Mackintosh and assistants Marion MacLean and Joe Redman. Gordon Hutton skillfully controlled the lighting. Backstage, Ethel McGlynn patiently prompted while Jim Lyon, Charlie MacLean and Peter Wright heaved the scenery about with great skill and valiantly keeping order was our Stage Manager, Lorna Davidson. Jim Morrison directed this talented team in the production of the Lochgilphead Drama Club’s fourteenth and ‘best yet’ pantomime. Planning for pantomime number 15 is already underway - so, we’ll see you again at the same time next year - Oh, yes we will!
