Humpty Dumpty: The Egg’s Files

Bunbury Musical Comedy Group gave us a winter warmer pantomime with a science fiction twist, with Humpty Dumpty: The Egg’s Files. With the audience given a tutorial on appropriate pantomime responses, everyone had a chance to join in and get involved.

Simply set with some creative costuming - this show had a lovely “make-do” approach that enhanced rather than detracted from the production. Some of the costumes, including the one for the title role, were a delight. Great visual fun from costume team Jan Phillips, Erin Phillips and Julie Anderson, and prop designers Dean Beaver, Clare Simms and Brodie Simms.

Every pantomime needs a great villain and this production has a whole team of them, led with a strong performance from Cathy Phillips as Queen Pangea. We met bumbling baddies Watt and Knott (nice teamwork from Brayden Napier and Brodie Simms), the enigmatic Daft Ada (a performance with a lovely twist by Clare Simms) and the energetic Pizza (Brandon Forsyth). A more traditional pantomime villain comes in the form of evil landlord the Knave of Hearts, played with relish by Paul Harris.

The Goodies include sometime narrator Delilah Scareaway, the Old Woman in the Shoe, gorgeously played by Abby Ross, the central role of Humpty Dumpty, an egg come droid, ably played by Amberly Brough and young lovers Adele and Hugo, nicely portrayed by Isobel Curd and Jordie Moore.

A team of Space Heroes work well together - including Leith Phillips as Prince Jaywalker and Franciena Draper as Chewcracker. Obligatory pantomime bumbling policemen are played by Merinda Brough and Lisa Campbell, having great fun.

Humpty Dumpty: The Egg’s Files featured a team of talented youngsters who lit up the stage with every appearance. While some are already veterans of the stage, there were a number of very promising theatrical debuts. Great energy, lovely singing and fine acting from Lilly Stephenson, Cory Stephenson, Hugo canto tore, Mia van Dyk and Jackson Nel. 

A feel-good show that deserved a bigger audience, this was an enjoyable rendition of this Western Australian written pantomime.

Kimberley Shaw