LET ME put things into context. On Tuesday my boiler packed up. Come Thursday night, I was at Watlington Village Hall for the Watlington Players pantomime, and I badly needed cheering up!
   That proved not to be a problem, as the players served up a standard of comedy that should only be available with a prescription.
   Their choice of title was hardly mainstream. King Arthur would not be high on most groups’ list, yet this production was as classic as any Cinderella. It was traditional pantomime performed to the highest of standards.
   The story revolves around good King Arthur, his wife Guinavere, Sir Lancelot and Merlin, and their fight to keep Camelot from falling into the hands of evil Morgana and her son Mordred.
   I know its cliché, but there were no weak links in this cast. The Chorus of Pages, Knights, Ladies of

the Court, Wenches, Guinettes and Ghouls were all on top form, with Kate Ayres and Jane Pearce setting the standard.
   Hugh Pearce, as the King, worked tirelessly, and Rachael Johnson, as Lancelot, was as thigh-slappingly macho as a principle boy can be.
   Allan Lord, as Merlin, was a mighty presence, and Peter Fielding, as the Dame Guinavere, was magnificent.
   Megan Abbott was pretty and confident as Lancelot’s love, Olivia, and Amy Camp’s “Smoulder” was adorable.
   Claire Cooper, as Morgana, was delightfully menacing, and David Mycock, as her son, Mordred, was on top of his game as usual.
  It is something to say that in a cast of such designation that two performers truly stood out, but it is the case. Squirt and Sally were written to be the comic leads, and they were.
  Ian Anderson could have walked

into the hall directly from the stage of the London Palladium. When he unleashed the Mr Kipling joke, the timing and delivery were perfection!
   Then there was Susan Power as Sally. I have seen this woman do chorus, walk-ons and bit parts many times in Lynn. She was incredible with a standard of performance you rarely see on any amateur stage. Put those two together, and it was magic.
   Musical direction was by Kate Mould, and there was a very capable five-piece combo, spectacular costumes and scenery by all concerned, and competent stage management by Seamus Power.
   Hearty congratulations to director Matthew Kerslake. I know that a lot of the quality was his doing. I noticed early on his eye for detail, and it was this focus on the small things that helped produce such a big show.

        Stephen Hayter
        
        19th January 2007