Thurso panto is just purrfect!
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TONIGHT the festive season officially begins as the curtain goes up on this year’s pantomime from the Thurso Players.
For the fourth time John Glen takes the director’s seat, this time to tell the story of Puss in Boots, which has been re-created by Lesley Jackson.
Puss in Boots is the tale of a cat who attempts to help his master earn his fortune and marry a princess.
The action opens with Colin, the third and youngest son of a miller, receiving his inheritance, which is a cat. At first the youngest son laments, as the eldest son gains the mill and the middle brother gains the two mules.
But the feline is no ordinary cat – he can talk and he requests a new pair of boots which his master buys.
To show his gratitude the cat is determined to make his master’s fortune. He bags a salmon and presents it to the king as a gift from his master (who pretends to be the fictional Marquis of Carabas), trying to win the heart of the king’s daughter for Colin.
Myfanwy Morgan takes the lead as Puss in Boots and delivers a purrfect performance, with a sparky comical routine which the role demands.
Calum Rosie plays the male lead as Colin and works well with Puss in Boots to deliver a confident and successful double act.
Of course it wouldn’t be a panto without a dame, and this year the responsibility for the family favourite is on the shoulders of Thurso High School teacher Richard Wooles.
And he doesn’t fail to deliver. He masters the three rules of pulling off a successful panto dame – camp, comedic and flirty – and turns in a great performance.
This year’s pantomime will also be using special effects which have never been seen before in a Thurso Players’ production – but these are being kept secret until tonight’s opening.
Once again the Thurso Players put on a thoroughly professional performance that will entertain panto fans young and young at heart.
Director Glen has been working on the show for the past 13 months and he said that everything is clicking into place at the right time.
“Everything has gone like clockwork and now we are hoping to put on a great show for the people of Thurso,” he said, speaking at the dress rehearsal.
“For the past 20 years we have never performed the same panto twice and we are already looking forward to carrying on that tradition in the future.
“We have always received a great response from the public in Caithness for our performances and this year is no different. It is an annual tradition which people of all ages can come along and enjoy, and I hope they will enjoy Puss in Boots.”
The show runs from today until Saturday, December 17, in Thurso High School, starting at 7.30pm. Tickets are still available at the door for the Thursday, Friday and Saturday night performances.
Cast and Crew
Dame Beattie McAffie: Richard Wooles
Colin: Calum Rosie
Dai: Kane Cameron
Mordwyn: Sean MacGregor
King Cadwallader: Mike Gordon
Queen Scholastica: Tracey Beaven
Eustace Eggard: Eric Maughan
Princess Saffina: Sharon Mackay
Witch Wylva: Jacqui Disbury
Hattie the Bat: Chloe Stewart
Odric the Ogre: Alisdair Glen
Alt Gur: Donna Swanson
Del Leet: Glyn Jackson
Fairy Fleet Foot: Faye Sharp
Vida: Philippa Lisle
Cats: Katrina Rosie, Rosie Fidler and Eilidh Harper
Chorus: Alison Gerrard, Brady Rae, Mirren Cormack, John McGeachie, Euan Sinclair, Roisin Lisle, Sarah Falconer, Connor Williams, Cornelia Finsterburch and Ritchie Miller
Director: John Glen
Producer: Christine Firth
Musical director: Glyn Jackson
Choreographer: Lynne Swanson
Musicians: (The Windy Millers), Lesley Jackson, Philip Arthur, Angus McBay, James Reade and Neil Mackay
