Robinson Crusoe

Reporter: Colin Meredith
Date online: 12/06/2008

St Gabriels School Hall was bursting at the seams for this performance of Robinson Crusoe and no one went home disappointed. Kevin Tierney's set design was colourful and effective complementing some excellent performances.

Leading from the front was Simon Thompson who is always a favourite with this audience and he soon got them into the panto spirit by getting them to look after his pet parrot. Blackpatch and Jackboot played by Wayne Rowland and Pete Wood were popular baddies and were able to set the scene for what was to come.

Throughout the action we were treated to some enthusiastic performances from three children's choruses who were a delight to watch. Choreographing children in large numbers is not easy so well done to the four ladies involved, the children did not let them down.

Martyn Tierney gave a consistent portrayal as the Captain and Gabrielle Herron-Thompson as Polly and Bev Foster as Janet were is excitable daughters. We were treated to more comedy with Tim Richardson as Mrs Crusoe a role he has now made his own in the St Gabriels panto. He was supported well by Polly and Janet in the popular number Keep Young and Beautiful. Once we had set sail on the Mary Rose we were treated to an hilarious mop routine. The routine also involved the comic duo of Bill and Ben played by Stuart Crowther and Mike Newton who together provided some of the most amusing highlights in the show. When one of the mops broke during the scene Mike Newton used it to great comic effect.

Kathryn Sidebottom kept the plot moving along as Robinson Crusoe in his search for the treasure. There was an effective underwater UV scene were we met Nicola Holt as Neptune with the young chorus once again complementing the scene.

In Act two when the characters are shipwrecked we encounter the cannibals led by Jean Kirk as Wotta Woppa and Anne Ingham as Soona Woppa. Robinson Crusoe also met up with an impressive Terry Connolly as Man Friday who didn't miss any of his comic opportunities. There was a vey funny scene with Mrs Crusoe and Kevin Crusoe in the cannibals pot which had the audience in stitches.

Once again writer and producer Billy Sheerin has come up with a topical and amusing script and was not let down by any of his particularly youthful large cast.

Robinson Crusoe
The Friends of St Gabriels