Image Credit:-
A huge thank you as ever to The Chameleons for kind permission to use their photos. One image adapted in Book Brush using a Chameleon photo. One screenshot taken by me, Allison Symes, from the Chameleons’ website re their next production.
It was a joy to see Pinocchio, staged by The Chameleon Theatre Group on Saturday, 28th January. There are many for whom pantomime is their first experience of live theatre. Funnily enough, it wasn’t for me. My kid sister and I tended to go and see the latest Disney releases at the old Gaumont, now of course The Mayflower in Southampton. Remember seeing Robin Hood and Cinderella there.
Pantomimes are fun, colourful, and exactly what’s needed in the middle of winter for a fun night out. I’m sure that aspect has helped their longevity. Another factor here is that most are based on classic fairytales which in themselves are timeless.
And there is a fine tradition here in the UK of enjoying seeing the usual cross dressing roles of the Principal Boy and the Dame (for Pinocchio this was Madame Barbie, who aptly has a toy shop, shared with her husband, Geppetto). Pantomime is one of those rare times when the audience gets to shout at the actors on stage and nobody minds!
Everything about pantomime is over the top from the costumes to the make up and, yes, the acting too, and it is just sheer fun to witness all of that. Pantomime is about fun first and foremost.
The Pinocchio Theme
I also love the theme of Pinocchio, which is one of acceptance, a theme which is shared with The Ugly Duckling. We owe the story of Pinocchio to Carlo Collodi who brought out his book, The Adventures of Pinocchio, in 1883. The plot is well known. An old Italian woodcarver named Geppetto carves a wooden puppet named Pinocchio who wishes that he might be a real boy. A fairy tells him he will become a real boy when he proves his worth. And that’s where the adventures come in.
The best known adaptation of the story is the Disney version which goes back some way too (having been released in 1940. Am not counting the live action remake here. For me, the animated version is the film which counts, especially when you consider this was done long before anyone even thought of CGI and every single frame of the film was done by hand).
Pinocchio also has a famous characteristic – his nose grows longer whenever he lies. (Hmm… I can see there being a few jokes about politicians in the Chameleons’ performance on that aspect alone! I am drafting this section of my post ahead of going to the show. Will be interesting to see if I’m right! I know I couldn’t resist telling a few jokes on this topic, that is what I’m saying here!).
Update from after seeing the show! There was a lovely reference to that “Rees Mogg muppet”. Enjoyed that. Doubt he would have done though one aspect of pantomime is that it is meant to send up those in authority given it does showcase topical humour. Sending up authority is always topical! Who better to send up than the powers that be?
Pantomime can also showcase local humour. There was a lovely gag about one of our local schools. Got a big laugh. Am not naming names – you really did need to be there! Do check out the link for more about pantomime. I found this a fascinating read.
Performances
The Chameleons never disappoint. It was clear the entire cast was having an absolute ball on the stage which was wonderful to see. There were dreadful puns aplenty (oh yes there were!). I loved the line “don’t blame me. I only say the lines. I don’t write them!” which got a big laugh. It proves the old saying about nobody liking a critic is true as well.
Special mention must go to Stuart Wineberg (as Madame Barbie) and Matthew Meehan (as Wicked Wandini). Their make up was outstanding. And the sight of Madame Barbie in her Wonder Woman outfit is a sight not soon forgotten (and the same goes for a bearded Mollie, played by Patrick Arnold).
Wicked Wandini had a painted on mask which reminded of me of the character of The Mask as played by Jim Carrey. And there were two villains in this show. As well as Wicked Wandini, there was Stromboli played by Clare Britton.
A sure sign of a “good” pantomime villain can be measured by the boos they get. The audience didn’t let them down here – there were loads of boos. Neither did I envy Fairy Powderpuff, played by Kayleigh Underwood, for having to give every single piece of dialogue in rhyme. Not an easy thing to do. While her arch enemy, Wicked Wandini, could and did taunt the audience on every possible occasion, which was done with considerable relish!
Costume of the night, I think, went to Ollie the Octopus. I did not envy Olya Chamberlain for having to get in and out of that. It looked superb though. (I doubt if Olya would have felt the cold in that costume either. I thought it was a minor miracle of costume making!).
Special mention must also go to Emily Whittingham in her lead role. How easy is it to act like a puppet? Must be one of the few roles where the acting is meant to seem like it is wooden. This was really well done.
Naturally there are the helpful but daft sidekicks, in this case Trick and Treat, as played by Lizzie Harden and Dave Collis, though as so often happens in panto, they start off by helping the villain (in this case Stromboli) but change their minds and end up being good guys in the end.
Well done, Chameleons – on the stage and off it.
One of the joys of pantomime (and I am sure this is true from the actors’ perspective and that of the audience) is you can’t have an over the top performance here. Another joy is watching out for the adlibbing too. And yet another joy is recognising the songs they sing.
It was great to see a full house (there were only a couple of spare seats in front of me). And everyone had a fabulous time joining in with the booing, the “he’s behind you”, the “oh yes, he is” etc etc with considerable gusto. (Yes, me too).
Unexpected bonus of the night: my winning a box of the Lindt dark chocolates in the raffle! I don’t usually have a good record on raffles.
The Advert – well, actually there are two.
Firstly, The Chameleons are always looking out for new people to join their company, whether you fancy acting or being on the lighting desk etc. Do check out their website for more information.
Secondly, their next show will be in April and will be a series of three plays. Dates are 27th to 29th April and the plays are Searching (by The Chameleons’ very own Matthew Meehan), Can’t Stand Up for Falling Down (by Richard Cameron – sure this reminds me of an Elvis Costello song), and Murder in Little Grimley (by David Tristram).
Book early, folks. It pays.
The Chameleons are continuing to support the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance, always a worthy cause, via a donation bucket so do look out for that next time you go to their shows.
Conclusion
I had a wonderful time watching the pantomime. You do come out after the show feeling considerably cheered up and isn’t that a lovely thing for pantomime to do, especially in these troubled times?
Long live the panto!
Related Posts:-
Review: The Chameleon Theatre Group – Sherlock Holmes and The Mystery at Mallen Hall
Read interviews with Chandler’s Ford writer Allison Symes: Part 1 and Part 2.
Read blog posts by Allison Symes published on Chandler’s Ford Today.
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