Newspaper Article 2011 – Hansel, Gretel, wolf and rest in bewitching form

Hansel, Gretel, wolf and rest in bewitching form

REVIEW

Talking Bears Eat Gingerbread House
Hansel and Gretel the Untold Story
Hastings Operatic Theatre, St Aubyn St
Hastings
April 16 to April 23
Reviewed by: Keith Russell

The start of the school holidays and bad weather is forecast for the first week, so what are you going to do with the children?

Well fear not, Hastings Operatic has produced the perfect solution, a clever, fast-moving fantasy fairytale containing action, romance, wicked witches and timeless songs young and old will know by heart.

Tightly directed by Karen Kiriona, this fast-moving story is helped by excellent ensemble singing and dancing that will sweep you on a magical journey.

Years of stage experience allowed Catherine Hosken to play her role as the father at just the right level against a much younger mother played with maturity beyond her young years by Penelope Harris. Both actors relished their roles and this encouraged the confidence of fellow cast members who are to be congratulated for their performances. Sam Harris as Hansel sang and projected well to the audience, as did Olivia Campbell as Gretel.

What more could we ask for but a strongly singing Prince Charming played by Abby May, who had the difficult task of looking for his future bride with a broken glass slipper.

All pantomimes contain a grande dame and there is something about placing a man in a dress that allows great freedom of expression to personalise the role. Gary [Gray?] Ruffell was never going to let this chance go by and delivered a standout performance.

Waiting to frighten the audience at every chance was an excellently costumed and made-up Wicked Witch, played with enthusiasm by Samantha Mactaggart, who was the first witch I have seen to have her rights read to her as she was arrested.

Marcus Hosken as the Big Bad Wolf has the difficult task to invite audience participation and I am sure as his confidence grows he will find his job much easier.

A well thought-out set with some nice lighting effects provided the perfect backdrop, and bringing the play into the theatre itself made for a nice feeling of audience involvement.

Kirona [Kiriona] introduced some modern songs with altered lyrics and her use of the Happy Days TV series theme as the grand finale was a wonderful way to end. This show has two short acts that will keep the attention of younger children and thus appeal to their accompanying adults as a way of introducing the joy of live theatre.