Little Red Riding Hood: A Pantomime

KADS’ Little Red Riding Hood is a very British pantomime, playing to very healthy houses. As is to be expected from a traditional panto, it plays on many levels, with appeal to diverse age groups.

While this is a small venue, the set, made in larger scale would be admirable in any theatre, very professionally designed by Geoff Rumsey, well constructed with some of the best set painting of the year. Costumes are fun and bright, and the front of house decorations draw the audience into the story from the moment they enter the theatre, helping to make this show a theatrical experience.

Bright and loveable in the titular role, Emilie Tiivel plays her first major character in a community theatre show, bringing a pretty voice and lovely demeanour. Sage Lockyer is a delightful Prince Charming, an endearing and funny Principal Boy. Kym Norris is also lovely in the other breeches role, the likeable valet Dandy.

Every pantomime needs a villain or two, with this show having quite a few. Fi Livings relishes her role as a very stunning looking Witch, with Peter O’Connor a funny rather than scary, big bad ‘King Wolf’. Geoff Rumsey is a perfectly pompous Baron, who makes a lovely change of character, Paul Larder makes the most of the small role of the Gamekeeper, with Beau Van Der Beeke, who also serves in the ensemble, impressive as his offsider Splinter.

There are many familiar characters. Ron Arthurs is an audience favourite as the Dame, Mrs Hubbard, with Jaymon Bound strong as Simple Simon. Young actors Rory Bundock, in a community theatre debut, and Ryan Death in his first show in Perth, work well together as bumbling policemen Punch and Trunch. Roxanne O’Connor completes the principal cast as a sweet Cockney, Fairy Queen.

The ensemble, all children and teens, work very hard throughout, not only singing and dancing but providing some lovely transitional entertainment. Some lovely developing talent in this team.

The audience had a wonderful time (Oh yes they did!). A great choice of show for this theatre, that seems to be bringing new audiences and perhaps some first -time theatre-goers.

Kimberley Shaw