Reproduced from the Noda Magazine

The Rae Terrance script was traditional and the audience loved it. Stephanie Hawthorn, as Jack, the hero, established a friendly and relaxed performance. John Walker was his mother, Mother Hubbard, who was every inch a Dame and John Partridge was great as the miser, Silas Moneygrabber, who quickly encourage the hisses and boos.

Myra Pennington (Mistress Snivel) and Kathleen Darsley (Mister Snide) were impressive. The comedy from Topsy and Turvy was little thin but energetically portrayed. The rest of the cast gave great support with some lively dancing and a good song selection over 13 scenes, one of which was a UV Puppet Scene. We also had an entertaining pantomime cow, Daisy.

The director gave pace to the production although I didn't feel Act 2 had the same vibrancy as Act 1. With colourful costumes and an enthusiastic cast, this was a fun, traditional pantomime.

John Flay

Reproduced from the Stretford and Urmston Messenger

David is Goliath

They don't come much bigger than the star of Urmston Musical Theatre's next production. The company are preparing to present Jack and the Beanstalk, a family panto featuring a towering performance from David Reeves.

But you won't see the giant on stage for David, who played Billy Bigelow in UMT's Carousel, will play the role of the big man using his voice alone.

Doreen Cockshott returns to the Society to direct her sixth pantomime and although she's comfortable in the director's chair she 's determined not to let comfort give way to complacency. "I've always tried to put something a little bit different into each pantomime because you do tend, after doing so many, to get into a pattern of doing the same sort of thing," says Doreen.

Tastes in entertainment have changed a lot over the past ten years and kids have become so sophisticated. If those trainers aren't worth at least £200, they're just not cool enough. But when it comes to the pantomime, Doreen is a firm believer in tradition. "I like to stick to the traditional ones where you get a pricipal boy who is a girl and a dame who is a man," she says.

Although Doreen is a stickler for tradition she has added some modern touches to proceedings, including a score featuring a song from The Spice Girls.

Rick Bowen