Review: Inverurie Panto - Rapunzel, A Tangled Tale
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"It's so cheery, here in the Garioch…."
So sings a packed Town Hall at Inverurie Panto's Rapunzel writes Margaret Hearne.
There is indeed plenty of good cheer in this rollicking, joyful and impressive staging of the traditional tale.
This Rapunzel has a twist, however; Doric is abundant, and contemporary songs and dance routines punctuate the story.
The heroine Rapunzel is played with great vigour and expressiveness by Emmah Chibesakunda, while her brother Prince Kensington (Sam Allan) - a 'spare' heir - is both helpless and hapless until his remarkable transformation in "I'm just Ken!"
Gavin Davidson carries The Dame role with great aplomb and experience while sidekick Don Valley (Gavin McKay ) delivers his comic persona to perfection.
Particularly skilled is the routine, "Tillie fae Torry", which uses Doric wordplay to great effect.
Hollie Cunningham is every inch a strikingly handsome Principal Boy in the role of Prince Elphinstone while, in contrast, Amanda Haggart as the witch Narcissa is the epitome of cackling evil - what a remarkable voice she has!
Queen Florence (Laura Burnett) is perfectly gracious as a foil for The King (Kevin Littlejohn); he creates a dotty, neurotic monarch, of sorts!
The company of young dancers from Evolution School of Dance perform with style, vitality and obvious enjoyment!
Incorporating an impressive tower, the set is bold and colourful, extending to magical coloured lanterns along the auditorium ceiling. Costumes are perfect for each character, adding hugely to the overall impact.
The special effects of a woodland scene, created by UV lighting, is highly imaginative, eliciting many 'oooh, aaahs' from the audience.
The music throughout was superb: a five piece band playing throughout with songs from Abba to Barbie!
Producer Keith Donaldson, and Director Victoria Cowan have excelled themselves but everyone involved deserves congratulations - directors, performers, musicians, choreographers, technical staff, front of house staff, several local sponsors, the BSL signer - and many more.
Together they have achieved a splendid evening's entertainment for young and old.
Rapunzel - A Tangled Tale runs until Dec 24th - don't miss it!!
