Puss in Boots - Review
Performed by the Watlington Group - January 2024
The moment I walked into the packed drama studio on January the 27th to see the Panto 'Puss in Boots', performed by the children of Alexis Cheesman's 'Catkids' drama classes, I could feel the excited anticipation of the audience and the confidence of even the youngest performers.
Confidence is the hallmark of the gift Alexis gives to all her pupils, who range from fourteen to four years of age. Every class was involved.
The smallest actors made up the chorus, 'The Fleas' in glittering gold costumes and nodding antennae. Most of these children were ingenues, but danced and acted their hearts out and sang a range of amusing numbers within a terrific script written by the talented Mike Hurst.
My favourite songs, 'A Nice Little Flea’ and 'Underneath your Armpits' made us all laugh.
The older children made up the chorus of villagers who commanded the stage well and sang beautifully. The four peasants, all excellent, and five knights, Pythonesque in their quips and splendid chain mail, provided good cameo performances, especially Sir Twitter, played by Matilda Clutterbuck.
Other outstanding character performances were Gollum, the Igor of the castle, played by Albie Carter and the giant, Heather Smith.
There were many good performances in this ensemble piece, but Ned, the Marquis - Daniel Godall Smith and Puss - Megan Naber, Princess Kimmy - Margot Cheal and the King, played by Indy Sercombe- Schwartz, all acted very well and showed a good sense of comic timing.
I was impressed by the skilfully painted scenery by Nathan and Fabian Cheesman and the sound effects were the work of Matt Smith and the prompter was a very supportive Susie Ingram.
This was an exciting team effort towards the able direction of Alexis Cheesman.
Carol Horton
