The Lund Family, went to watch Hansel and Gretel on behalf of Ryedale Mumbler. Read their thoughts here – it sounds like they had a great time!
This was my first visit to the Kirk Theatre in Pickering and what an absolute gem I found it to be! The seats are very comfy and it is well equipped with a small bar, snack store and box office. The front of house staff were exceptionally helpful and welcoming and I will certainly be coming back here.
The panto itself was super. The main parts were played by a strong set of actors and actresses and really gave the performance its structure. The dancers were extremely well rehearsed and put on a super display and there were some great, familiar songs throughout the show. The Dame was everything you expect a panto Dame to be, with a great script and some funny ad-libs and The Wicked Witch of the Wood had a cackle that would have made the Wicked Witch of the West envious! The Forest Fairy played her part beautifully with a singing voice to match and both Hansel and Gretel and Heidi and Martin came across very sincerely. It would be impossible for me to mention everyone in the performance but it was an excellent standard with strong performances across the board. I have to say the stand out act for me was the Stepmother. She knew her part extremely well and reacted to the audience spontaneously, encouraging interaction which there was plenty of and which is one of the attractions of panto.
In addition, the scenery was fantastic! Quite literally a work of art!
This is a show that will appeal to all the family, but if you have small children I would recommend a matinee performance.
The production features a cast of more than 40 local performers aged from 8 to 80 and includes members of the Pickering Musical Society Youth Theatre together with dancers from the Sarah Louise Ashworth School of Dance. Director and theatre manager, Luke Arnold, said: “We are all really proud that Pickering Musical Society has reached this wonderful milestone. It is a privilege to be directing the pantomime in this special year and so lovely to see so many people involved on stage and behind the scenes.”
Hansel & Gretel runs until Sunday the 20th – performances are every evening with matinee performances at the weekends.
There are still tickets available. Tickets start from £12 and are available online at www.kirktheatre.co.uk or by telephoning the box office on 01751 472127.
