Editor:
This year, director Susanne de Pencier has outdone herself in attracting a wonderful cast of regulars and many new young talents to the 59th annual White Rock pantomime, Rumpelstiltskin!
Now, I would like to heap my praises in point form:
• Thanks to writer Dave Baron for a fun show with lots of Bond puns, so groannnnnnnn… it’s terrific.
• I must say it’s about time Shenanigans got a part. It only took 59 years.
• M the Dame (Bryce Mills) – Gilbert and Sullivan would have been proud – a true presence to be reckoned with! Like a force of nature… exposing more than you may care to see at times (ha-ha).
Mills’ rendition of Goldfinger, it will never be the same for me. Yes, move over, Shirley Bassey.
• Squire Goldringer (Ray Van Ieperen) – Delightfully silly as always, he makes it looks so easy, balancing intelligence and the fool with a fine touch. Oh yes, here’s one more booooooo to inspire Ray. Another stirling performance.
• Jimmy Bond (Kirstin Stewart) – Polished, smooth and calm as he… well, she… should be as Bond. A solid performance.
• Penny Money (MacKenzie Claus) – A welcome fresh talent. There’s a fine actress brewing in there – a gal to keep an eye on – as she seasons. Good singing voice. Now all she needs to do is follow the Dame’s solid lead and belt it out; it’s a pantomime for heaven’s sakes.
• Rumpelstilskin (Hunter Golden) – Bravo to Golden. His focus on the character’s physical stance alone was awesome to watch and so demanding – crouching and hunching steadily throughout his performance.
The surprise ascent onto the table top, floating up like a wisp of smoke to dominate the room. His performance as the villain you love to hate – a talented young man. Another one to keep an eye on. There’s a hunger for more in his eyes.
• Rocky Raccoon (Jennifer Tiles) and Jack Russell (Elyse Raible)– Tiles is an eye-popping facial contortionist who used her face to an absolute maximum effect, with humorous poses. Mesmerizing to watch. Tiles disappeared, and we were left with only Rocky Raccoon.
Raible is the very best dog-playing-a-human-playing-a-dog performances I’ve ever seen! Good enthusiasm at all times.
What a sweet team. The two of them could do a whole routine, or show, built around those two characters.
The freedom and flexibility of these two characters leaves them plenty of room to roam, great energy and dedication to their roles by both ladies! The two of them have developed an interaction of body language, reinforcing their verbal interactions wonderfully.
It proves why W.C. Fields never wanted to perform with children and dogs – they will always steal the show. These two are proof of that statement.
• Finally, to all the rest of the cast and crew, well done, a solid performance by all.
Honestly, this is a great panto, and the new talent pool is excellent.
Seann Traviller, Surrey
