Gleeful mayhem and sparkling performances by Cubbington Players

THE Cubbington Players’ winter pantomime is a rollicking journey of fun sprinkled with punning references to Dr Who, Star Wars, the Rocky Horror Show and Boris Johnson, along with a host of old favourites.

A spirit of gleeful mayhem filled the hall from start to finish. Dick Whittington (Jim Suther), in Dr Who scarf, travels back in time to save the world from the machinations of the evil Mortimer Moneybags, played with slimy relish by Joseph Hughes, who is blackmailing the good Alderman Fitzwarren (Roy Sager) and his lovely daughter Alice (Hannah Firdham). Scampering in and out of the plot is the magnificent Victoria Sponge (Barry West) the Alderman’s demented housekeeper.

Barry’s performance was straight out of the Frankie Howerd school of double entendre. Ruth Hawkins brought to Jess, Dick Whittington’s cat, a lovely feline performance that was pitch purr-fect. Her Miaow Duet with Mollie (Kathy Deeth), the cockney sidekick of Mr Moneybags, was one of the highlights of the show.

But of all the stars in this good hearted romp, it was the children who stood out, including those in the audience. Bronwyn Hawkins, Kate West and Alex Hawkins delivered sparkling performances as the rats, and Ted Spivey delivered the goods as the punster Squeegee. Janet Cooper (Cringio), Ella West (Tina), Janice Wingrove (Madame Zenobia) and Tony O’Hagan (Soy the Sorcerer and the Pied Piper) completed a cast that held the local audience enthralled.

Never mind the plot holes, never mind the gaffes - the spirit of pantomime fun was alive in Cubbington today.

Nick Le Mesurier