Reviews / Babes in the Wood: ‘a perfect storm of comedy gold’
THIS YEAR’s Open Door Drama Group pantomime transformed a panto sceptic into a panto enthusiast – with hilarity and fun for the entire family, writes our reviewer Sarah Cooper.
Before anyone boos, let me clarify – I didn’t hate panto; I was just indifferent to it. I’ve been to pantos before, though it’s been quite some time, and they never really clicked. Audience participation? That’s my personal nightmare (please don’t pick me!).
But the key word here is ‘wasn’t,’ because this year’s vibrant and delightfully entertaining adaptation of Babes in the Wood by Open Door Drama Group has completely turned me into a panto fan.
Written and directed by Izzy Swanson, the entire show offers a modern twist to the familiar folk tale with ‘The Wood’ being a trendy music spot for bands like Robin Hood and His Merrie Men to perform at.
Babes Pip and Penny (played by Winnie (Ava) Paton and Molly Goudie) have just inherited the lot after a family bereavement and their dastardly uncle Baron Hardnutt (who hates showbiz) is determined to steal it from them and turn it into a block of flats.
The show was filled with hilarity, plenty of local references (Streamline might not be too happy about that), and the perfect amount of cheesy humour.
Every member of the ensemble cast delivered their roles with perfection, from the talented children and chorus members to Bob Lowes, who was the classic Panto Dame and brought Nurse Molly Coddles to life. And we all learned a valuable lesson on where not to keep important letters.
The classroom scene, most likely the most chaotic classroom in history, had me giggling from beginning to end, with clever comebacks, and groan-inducing humour right down to the facial expressions. You wouldn’t get away with that at the Anderson High School!
This year’s moustache-twirling villain, played by the brilliantly funny John Haswell, was a show-stealing delight. His over-the-top evil antics and wickedly exaggerated expressions had the audience roaring with laughter every time he took the stage.
Adding to the hilarity were his minions Botch, Bungle, and Bodger, brought to life by the comedic trio of Malcolm Younger, Lynsey Rendall, and Hilary Smith. Each brought their own unique brand of humour—whether it was slapstick chaos, perfectly timed mishaps, or clueless banter. Together, they created a perfect storm of comedy gold, leaving the audience in stitches every time they appeared!
Other standout performers included Gary McAllister and Ruth Archer as duo Fidget Spinner and Flick, their tongue-in-cheek humour and boundless energy kept the audience entertained from start to finish. Our heroes attempted to outwit Hardnutt and his hapless helpers to save The Wood from closure. Every panto needs a Fairy Godmother and Katie Boyes stepped in to save the day at the last minute!
Now, the part I dread the most is when audience members are asked to go on stage but Open Door Drama Group did it perfectly, pulling up a crowd of volunteers from the children in the audience who were desperate for their spot at stardom. Luckily, I’m about three feet too tall and 25 years too old. Some kids had travelled as far as Fair Isle and Whalsay for the play, and they all got a go at performing some air guitar or air saxophone to a roaring applause.
Stage janitor Herbert was another welcome addition, adding more classic panto comedy to scene changes and another shoutout – HEEEERBEEERRTTT! – every time someone littered on stage (Hardnutt was a repeat offender). Kevin Briggs in the role was an audience darling, and his performance with Peaches Melba (Nurse Molly Coddles) at the end became an instant favourite.
Recognition must go to Izzy Swanson, Hilary Smith, and Loretta Smith for the vibrant and colourful costume designs that truly brought the production to life. Their creations were a dazzling mix of disco-themed glitz, jazzy flair, and an explosion of bright, eye-catching colours, perfectly complimenting the lively and flamboyant atmosphere.
The packed crowd had countless chances to join in the fun, with a spirited sing-a-long of Rocking all Over the Wood adapted from Status Quo – led by McAllister and Archer– and other lively renditions like Dancing Queen and I’ll Be There For You by The Rembrandts.
This year’s event also offers a first for Shetland, a British Sign Language interpreted performance on Saturday 7 December at 2pm.
Babes in the Wood runs until Saturday 14 December, with tickets available on the Shetland Arts website.
