Flip through the latest issue of Gulf Weekly.
It’s pantomime time again and festive revellers are in for a rip-roaring, thigh-slapping, pun-peppered piece of theatrical frivolity at the British Club … oh, yes you are!
This year’s Manama Theatre Club (MTC) trek into basic British humour, with a smelly gag thrown in for good measure, is an ambitious affair with a huge cast and background crew numbering around 60.
I’m delighted to report that director Carrie Bell pulls it off magnificently, helped by one of the strongest array of vocalists ever to step on to the British Club stage, with no offense to the Manama Singers.
I don’t think there was a bum note on the press night with Cinderella (Desiree Treber) sensational throughout and Buttons (Catherine Noor) and Prince Charming (Sam McClure) proving just as impressive with strong performances and sing-along voices to match.
One of the stand out performances comes from (boo, hiss and encouraged by a little chap in black holding up a sign, stage right) the evil Baroness Lucretia Hardup, played with passion by Stacey Barlow who has the most amazing death stare. I need this lady to sit in the passenger seat of my car the next time a visitor from across the causeway cuts me up on the highway.
The Ugly Sisters are sensational too and, as is tradition, at least one has to be played by a man, so take a bow Chris Woodrow. Not to be outdone on the womanly stakes, Natalie Scott, acts as a fine counterpart with one of the best lines in the show (SPOILER ALERT) when she suggests her sister’s large posterior would cause the sun to set in Muharraq every time she bent over in Sakhir. They also deserve a special mention for using GulfWeekly as a prop.
The set design is a delight too, so well done Karen Ralph and Sowsan Hasan.
Audiences had better snap up their tickets quickly because the cast also includes scores of cute talented children (you can see why people call this a ‘family’ show) playing fairies, police officers, as well as adding vocals in the junior chorus, whose parents will be packing in the front rows.
Will Cinders get to the ball after completing all her chores and will her special martial (f)arts play a part? Find out and join in the fun tonight at 7pm.
It’s show time all this week too.
Tickets cost BD5 from the British Club reception or Alosra in Budaiya, Nakheel, El Mercado, Amwaj. They are also available for tomorrow evening’s performance at the same time, with a matinée alongside the evening show on Friday, and the final act at 3pm on Saturday.
- Stan Szecowka
Note: A pantomime is theatrical entertainment, which involves music, topical jokes and slapstick comedy and is based on a fairy tale.
