ONCE again the Inkberrow Players have produced another wonderful spectacle of entertainment with this pantomime, staged over four performances.

Under the direction of Peter Evans the production has everything expected of a pantomime with excellent singing and movement, topical jokes, verbal wit and even lesser and better known quotes from Shakespeare.

The well costumed cast was a mixture of townspeople, pirates, sheikhs, a polar bear, a camel and, of course, rats and a cat.

The lively and entertaining music was directed by Margaret Ballard and the ever changing scenery created by Linda Evans. Both contributions added greatly to the production.

Sian Price and Becci Blundell gave extremely enjoyable performances as the principals, Dick and Alice, and were ably supported by a strong cast which included Sue Blundell and Malcolm MacGillivray.

Gary Clubley was suitably pompous as the Lord Mayor; David Ballard gave his distinctive stamp to the part of the Bard; Ian James relished his role as "the villain we love to hate"; moving effortlessly from the role of hapless captain to powerful sheikh, he enjoyed himself enormously, as did Stuart Davies singing the delights of The Old Bazaar In Cairo.

A wonderfully understated performance, as Abacus the accountant, was given by Richard Savage. Although unusual to see the Dame played by a woman, Donna Dean showed it could be done.

The younger element and the "squidgers" all gave delightful performances. It was a fun evening enjoyed by all.

TKJ