Burley Players took audiences on a romp through panto land with their dazzling seasonal offering

The Burley Players delivered a fantastical romp through five timeless pantomimes with their seasonal offering Adventures in Pantoland.

The curtain drew back and the audience was whisked away to the land of make believe, an imaginary setting where panto folk lived.

It was here where the hapless characters were tricked by Sharon Street as Poison Ivy the wicked witch – oozing villainous charm, cackles and sly tricks. Tricked into leaving the land of make believe, the unlikely heroes had their identities wiped and all seemed lost.

Stunning costumes and backdrops were a credit to the backstage crew, and a wonderful score was delivered by Debbie Clay, Tony Robinson and Graeme Thew. The show was expertly directed by Simon and Sue Newns, with support from producer Deborah Nightingale.

But this wouldn’t be a panto without guiding fairy godfather – in the form of Fairy Honeysuckle, played by the charismatic Ian Marshall who dazzled in head-to-toe glittering gold. With his help the panto folk were led through several different pantomimes in a bid to find out find who they were.

First up was Snow White, and Claire Doolan and the junior chorus did a magnificent job as the dwarfs, quickly setting the scene. The principal girl, a role shared between Esme Baggott, Tilly Johnson and Sian Pidgley was once again tricked by a poison apple, despite the audience’s desperate warnings. She fell asleep but was soon awoken by the principal boy played by the tenacious Karen Hefford.

Within each boiled-down panto, Poison Ivy was thwarted, even with help from her sidekick wretched Wizbad, played by the hilarious Jules Sawdon

The Dame and The Fool, brilliantly portrayed by Bruce Clitherow and Sandy Simpson, kept the absurdity rolling with perfectly timed gags. A particular highlight was three of the senior chorus dancing and singing with The Dame in a comical dance routine.

Carly Lynch was wonderfully comedic as Aladdin’s Genie in the Lamp, delivering a fantastic song with flair. Veronica Johnstone was delightful as Tommy the Cat in Dick Whittington. Wanda Williams brought irreverent charm as the voice of the mirror in Snow White. Whilst the comic versatility of Chris Duell was on display throughout in countless roles.

Deborah Nightingale