Scenes from Goody Two Shoes with, from left, Helena John, 11, as Tommy, Richard John as Widow Tucker, Ray Munt as Squire Grumble and Sue Waters as Gutsy. Picture by Jennifer Burton.
STAGE REVIEW
IF ENTHUSIASM and effort were the primary ingredients for a successful panto, the Panto Players’ Goody Two Shoes would have lived up to its name — but I’m sad to report it did not.
Yes, it was promising in parts but the storyline was thin and the production disjointed.
While I recognise the efforts of this small and dedicated community group and its objectives, a) to have fun and b) to raise funds, the show lacked substance.
Some characters remained undeveloped while others were awkward on stage.
But a handful of good performances made up for this.
Richard John was amusing as the panto dame Widow Tucker. He shone when it came to audience interaction and he was everything a panto dame should be, entertaining, over-the-top, a tad cringeworthy and worryingly effeminate.
His son, Tommy, played by Helena John, was also on form and her one-liners provoked the most laughs.
Young Helena showed real promise. She was articulate, entertaining and her performance well-rehearsed.
As was that of Bethan John, as lead character Goody, who really stood out as an actor and very capable singer, particularly in I Only Want To Be With You and Top of the World.
Megan Hughes gave a good performance as Will O’Wisp and Wendy John was suitably nasty as baddie Carrion.
It was nice to see the youngest cast members in prominent singing and dancing roles but the music did not always work well.
The scene where Dirk (Julie Jeffers) finds the golden arrow and dances around the stage to a Shania Twain ballad was way over the top.
The time and effort put in was there for all to see but Goody Two Shoes was not the all-singing and dancing show it could have been.