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NODA North West Magazine | Community News

PUSS IN BOOTS (1994)

Macclesfield Majestic Theatre

Producer: Shirley Davies
Musical Director: Heather Hayes-Wilson
Choreographer: Kevin Clarke

This pantomime did not greet us with the usual slam, bang, sock it to ‘em opening and I made the error of assuming I was in for a leisurely evening. I should have known better remembering that producer Shirley Davies is a thoughtful director who always has one or two tricks up her sleeve.

Always visually attractive, this pantomime managed to sustain the fairy-like magic, so often lost in this medium.

It’s fairly easy to attract the tots juniors and ladies to a panto, but what a tour de force here, to see so many, wait for it, young men in this production, who were no doubt attracted to perform with the choice of choreographer Kevin Clarke who provided some up-to-date routines without detracting from the traditional story line.

There was a good cast from juvenile lead to older baddie. Carolyn Farrish was a dashing Stephen and Peter Mannion (King) and Sheila Hill (Queen) made the most of rather difficult parts. Paul Smith, with supporting technology, was one of the most frightening Giants I have seen, reducing the tiny children near me to cling to their parents. A bubbly and promising Heidi Dabbs (Valderma) deftly handled the cream-pie scene with David McGuinness (Dorah Dettol) and Carol Dabbs (Silas). The latter two gave us all a lesson in stage rapport, ad-libbing in sticky situations and warming-up the audience.

Young Lindsey Hurst (Tom, the Cat) an outstanding dancer in The King and I, is about to study Dance and Drama in London for three years before bursting onto the professional stage. Technically she has much to learn but for the clarity of singing voice and stage movement she was a joy to watch,.

The atmospheric lighting was of paramount importance in this pantomime, seen at its best in a Les Mis-type production number and culminating in a Hollywood finale to complete an entertaining evening.

"Enthusiasm for Majestic's Boots" (Macclesfield Community News)

MACCLESFIELD Majestic Theatre Group's pantomime "Puss in Boots" was performed with the slickness and enthusiasm we have come to expect from these players.

A seasoned cast and experienced producer, Shirley Davies, sang, danced, and clowned to the great enjoyment of all, but there were intervals when a flash and a puff of smoke failed to happen, a telephone did not ring, and brave attempts at add libbing by David McGuiness, as Dame Dora Dettol, and Carol Dabbs (Sebastian) still left the audience wondering: "What's going on?"

Carol and David, MMTG's Little and Large, are regular laughter makers at Majestic Pantos, and this year they were joined by Heidi Dabbs.

So, David as Dame Dettol, was a man dressed as a woman who wanted a man; Heidi was Valderma, a woman in amorous pursuit of Sebastian, a man played by a woman, who is really her mother. It beat anything Andrea Newman could dream up.

Heidi is a natural comedienne. It must be in the genes - no panto-type pun intended. Her bald rendition of "Secret Love" would have given any Doris Day devotees in the audience an attack of the vapours.

Pete Mannion and Sheila Hill were a doddering and deaf King and Queen, parents of the lovely Angelina, played by Katie Muncaster. Her opening duet with Stephen (Carolyn Farrish) was the old Dusty Springfield hit "I only want to be with you" given the romantic ballad treatment.

Lyndsey Hurst, soon to leave the Majestic to train for the professional stage was Tom the Cat "the puss" of her title. Her magical assistant was Samantha Davies, who looked dazzling as the Fairy of Good Fortune.

Villany was personified by the Giant, Chris Andrew and the Miller, Silas, played by Mike Raymond.

The dancers both junior and senior, excelled themselves in some spectacular routine choreographed by Kevin Clarke. Music was provided by Ian Jones, Giles Lund and Rachael Taylor under the direction of Heather Hayes-Wilson.

The Majestic Theatre Group's next musical production is "My Fair Lady" in October.