Fans of pantomime rejoice, the old style favourite form of theatre, for the young and the young-at-heart, is back at Players Theatre.
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It’s been a while since the group of community thespians have presented the audience participation style theatrical experience – this time it’s Puss in Boots.
Written by Brit Angela Cook, the show is an homage to the original, with a minimal set, songs, fun costumes, a man playing a “Dame”, and cheering, booing and singalongs.
It is a directorial debut for Kate Ford, but she had been involved in children’s entertainment for about 30 years. “They needed somebody to step in when the original director was unable to fulfil the commitment,” Ford says. “I started off in pantomimes, so I put up my hand.”
Ford was a performer at Disneyland, CA, and was recently invited back to there perform at Dick Van Dyke’s 90th birthday bash.
The former Sydney resident moved to Port Macquarie six years ago and has seen a number of productions at The Players Theatre. “It has been absolutely delightful,” she says of her journey with the cast of 32. “It is a joy to work with so much talent.
“It has been a learning curve. I have learnt a lot from them and I have tried to pass on what I have learnt from my 30 years’ experience to them.”
Ford has incorporated a Where’s Wally element in the show, hiding 13 cat head silhouettes throughout it, for the audience to look out for and find.
Another quirky element of the show is the nine different family connections involved in the show. “We have a set of twins whose mother and brother also perform; a brother and sister; two mothers and sons; father and son – it has to be a record,” Ford says.
The cast began rehearsals in early October. Every production at the theatre is a big commitment, not only for the director and cast, but the set builders, costume makers, hair and make-up helpers, back stage crew, lighting and sound, the committee and front of house members.
There are no musicians actually playing the tunes for the show but everyone will be able to sing along with the familiar lyrics.
“Wouldn’t it be Loverly, I Enjoy Being a Girl and Zippity Do Da are some of the songs, and we encourage everyone to join in.”
Ford says 12-year-old Nick Bridle, who plays Puss in Boots, is doing a wonderful job. “He is bringing the character to life, he has so much personality.”
Chris Francis has the difficult job of balancing his masculine and feminine sides as Gladys Goodenough. “He is doing it brilliantly,” his director says.
Another actor who has taken on a very different role to her usual portrayals, is Bethany Cook, who plays the villain Miss Whiskers.
