Puss In Boots |
Adapted and Directed by John Kelland
Performed on Wednesday 29 November - Saturday 02 December 2006 at Pentyrch Village Hall.
Summary This well known European fairy-tale about the ingenious cat and his master is believed to have been first published as far back as 1697 or even earlier. The original book was called Le maitre chat, ou le chat botte (The Master Cat or Puss in Boots) and written by Charles Perrault. This Hilltop Theatre Company version of Puss in Boots has been adapted by John Kelland. Gladys, her son Jack and his cat have been thrown out of home and have been travelling for days and miles from a remote and inhospitable land. They have no money, no food and have been informed by the King that the Ogre has woken after 5 years and demanded money from the King. Therefore, the King has had to demand more taxes from the people as he says he cannot beat the Ogre. The King says that whoever manages to defeat the Ogre will win his daughter's hand in marriage. The Fairy then enters with some magic boots, intended for Jack. However, the Jack's cat finds them and changes into Puss in Boots, who uses the powers of the magic boots to help Jack win the princess' hand in marriage and defeat the Ogre. NODA Review of 'Puss in Boots' How to breathe new life into an old story, whilst maintaining the traditions and stock characters that everyone expects, is a challenge for any director of a panto. John Kelland and a strong cast achieved this with that old favourite ‘Puss in Boots.’ The stock characters were well realised and performed: Phil Davies on excellent form as ‘Gladys’ the Dame, obviously enjoying himself thoroughly in the role. A great cameo from Dai Williams (or was it Ray Winstone!? ) as the Ogre. Gail Alford as the domineering Queen, Sarah Jen Gazzard and Amie Harris as principal boy and girl. Able support from Richard Jones, a superbly audible Town Crier, Anna Constantinou as Polly, Helen Page as Tom, Heather Major as The Good Fairy, Steve Williams as the lugubrious Chancellor and Conor Brewer as the obsequious Toad. The ‘King’ however was not the usual hen-pecked husband, but by masterstroke of director’s invention was ‘King Elvis’, wonderfully impersonated by Martyn Lench, including some classic Elvis songs. Menna Davies acted and sang the title role beautifully. Add to this a chorus of engaging children and enthusiastic adults, well chosen songs, colourful costumes and a well designed set and lighting plot and you have a production that was obviously enjoyed by both a large audience and cast alike. A most pleasant start to the festive season. Reviewed by Tom Dyer on behalf of Frank Wooles.
Cast Fairy Heather Major Fairy Lights Ella Powell Fairy Tale Manon Griffith Fairy Liquid Alice Liney Fairy Cake Ffion Cox The Ogre Dai Williams Toad Conor Brewer Town Crier Richard Jones Gladys Phil Davies Polly Anna Constantinou Jack Sarah Jên Gazzard Scruffy Puss Tomas Brettle Tom Helen Page Chancellor Steve Williams Princess Amie Harris Queen Gail Alford King Martyn Lench Puss in Boots Menna Davies Child 1 Bethany Petersen Child 2 Rhys Degnan Child 3 Abigail Dawson Child 4 Lottie Wigg Child 5 Jessie Turner Soldier 1 Huw Williams Soldier 2 John Major Courtiers/Ghosts Carla Gambarini, Megan Hayward, Jenna Claridge Mouse Elinor Brewer Village People Huw Williams, John Major
Production Team
Director/Producer John Kelland
Assistant Director Karen Claridge
Musical Director Robert Edmunds
Choreographer Victoria Graham
Stage Manager Wayne Brewer
Assistant Stage Manager Raynor Phinnemore
Properties Raynor Phinnemore, Nathan Brown
Set Design/Construction Wayne Brewer, Raynor Phinnemore, Josh Cripp, Rhys Stapleton, Owain Davies, Huw Davies, Nathan Brown, Jan
Stapleton, Ros Jones
Lighting Owain Davies
Sound Greg Jenkins
Continuity Anne Morris
Wardrobe Mistress Norma Bousfield, Anne Morris, Karen Claridge
Make Up Karen Claridge
Business Manager Richard Jones
Front of House Manager Bob Petersen
Front of House Members and Friends of Hilltop
Box Office Brenda Slaughter
Child Liaison Tracy Richards |
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