Little Red Riding Hood – Oakworth Methodist Church

DAVID Howarth (deviser and producer) and Christine Aspinall (new this year to the role of director and choreographer) have put together a panto that bounces along beautifully letting everyone shine in the cast.

All the costumes that Janet Armstrong finds are again just what a panto requires. They visually give you the clue to each character before they speak.

These are backed by stage staff making scene changes seamless, and a backstage army of mums etc making sure costumes and make-up are all excellent.

As usual this is a great ensemble piece, featuring over 30 youngsters, singing, dancing and having a great time from opening curtain to the usual close-curtain scream of delight from the cast.

Lily Wood (Woodland Fairy) was clear and elegant in her role and I loved her song and the ballet at the end of act one, which made great use of the UV scene and showcased the dancer’s talents.

Peter Harris revelled in the role of the baddie Lupus Rex (the Wolf), and had us all booing every time he came on.

In the village of Ferndale we met all the usual panto characters. Lauren Loughtman played Red Riding Hood, and was relaxed in her performance and made you relax into the show. With her friend Violet (Phoebe Fox-Grange) they kept the story on track.

Principal boy and girl, October Fox-Grange and Scarlett Morris, worked well together and I enjoyed their songs and dances.

Finn Rowlett and Catherine Burbage-Atter were perfect as the not-so-bad baddies. Being involved with a lot of the comedy routines led by Alyssa Chester and Hannah Woollett, they made sure we had lots of fun and laughs.

My favourite four characters were the Squire’s men played by Gabriella Hands, Emily Hudson, Bethany Holmes and Michael Corcoran.

Their characters each had individual personalities and they gelled as a team. I just wish the song they sang during the ghost scene was a little longer as it sounded great.

Finally the chorus, who make any panto – they sang, danced and delivered lines with gusto. Credit to the full cast. A thoroughly entertaining night and a brilliant panto.

* Until Saturday. Visit oakworthmethodists.org to check ticket availability.

Philip Smith