Puss in Boots, Cornbow Hall, Halesowen High energy performances from the talented Startime Variety team thrilled a packed Saturday afternoon house.
This traditional fairytale about a miller's son, talking cat and eligible princess, was given a lively makeover with topical gags about credit card debt and toe-tapping tunes including Flashdance (What a Feeling), Back for Good and Shine, which I've heard at virtually every panto this season. Mark Owen will be delighted.
John Wunderlich's boastful, sneering Ogre soon had the audience booing and hissing and he received excellent support from Tyrone Howell as snivelling manservant Grim.
The other leads were also excellent. Emily Woolman's Princess Melinda had a sweet voice with an impressive range while Jodie Rock's Colin was a sprited and dignified hero.
King Bumble (Ellie Bradley) and Queen Bee (Bill Speake) worked well as a wise-cracking couple and Ricky Hammond and Stephen Baker played the hapless Wheeler and Dealer as a pair of Cockney wide boys.
Leanne Ditchfield supplied some nice touches of humour as Mrs Patchem and Puss in Boots (Emma Pearce) had the last laugh when she turned the Ogre into a rat, albeit a hilarious remote controlled version.
My favourite scene saw Colin turned into the Marquis of Carabas, thanks to a little bit of help from Puss's feline friends.
Overall, an enjoyable, fast paced show which had something for all ages.
Teresa Phillips
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