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2 July 2025
WADS MAGIC IN PANTOLAND.
The Woodcote Amateur Dramatic Society’s Pantomime for 2026, ‘Once Upon a Time in
Pantoland,’ written by Alex Jackson, played to full audiences at the Village Hall for six
performances over the last two weekends in January. This production may have been a
slight departure from the normal pantomime fare, but any doubts about its authenticity as a ‘pukka panto’ were immediately dispelled. It had all the traditional panto ingredients: heroes, villains, slapstick, catchy songs, dances, jokes, colourful characters, and the essential audience participation. As ever, the whole society played it for all they were worth!
The storyline tells of the kidnap of the Spirit of Pantomime by the wicked witch Mouldywart, and then of the panto dame, Tiffany Tickle and her children Tommy and Tilly’s quest to release her and restore joy and laughter to Pantoland.
In panto the part of the dame is usually taken by a male actor in drag. However, on this
occasion, it was an inspired decision by the producer to cast Helen Coyne as Tiffany Tickle. Helen’s performance was just marvellous. She was loud, brash, domineering and she had the audience in stitches from start to finish. Her interaction with the audience was right up there with some of the best I have seen and her false, at least I think it was, bosom was used to good comic effect on several occasions!
It was good to see Andrew Henderson treading the boards again as the scatty Tommy
Tickle. He has such a natural presence on stage, a good singing voice and perfect timing
with jokes. Isla Graham-Ruiz gave a confident performance as his younger but much savvier sister, Tilly Tickle, constantly denigrated by her mother.
On the darker side of things Marian Pigott as the witch Mouldywart was delightfully villainous drawing all the usual derision from the audience and young Eva Worsfold proved the perfect foil as the sassy cat, Snitch, no lines to learn but wonderful feline movements and evil miaows.
The royalty was provided by King Charming and Prince Harry. Paul Studd played the vague, insecure, and grieving King Charming, widowed by the death of Cinderella, with all the right nuances and mannerisms. Ruby Coyne showed real promise in the role of Prince Harry, in love with Tilly, a match disapproved of by the King.
The other force for good against Mouldywart’s evil doings was PC Pete Potter, ever
optimistic, a perfect part for James Peedell, who just gets better with every WADs
production. His ‘rap’ was one of the highlights. Tilly Scott proved a good sidekick as his
faithful hound, Baxter.
Gillian Fowmes made the most of her role as the Spirit with obligatory magic powers. There were also supporting roles for Heather Simpson as Fairy Grandmother, complete with zimmer frame and Christine Hinton, as Debbie her personal assistant, complete with
clipboard and wings. John Worsfold enjoyed his cameo role as the butter-fingered postman complete with toy post van and never-ending flying parcels. The supporting cast of residents of Pantoland, ghosts and ghouls, added to the production with their enthusiastic singing and dancing.
As always in panto, it all came good in the end with the Spirit rescued, Mouldywart reformed and now a suitable partner for the King, Prince Harry and Tilly receiving the King’s blessing and Tiffany and PC Potter pairing up.
Putting on a panto is a big ask for a small society like the WADS, not only because of the
number of performers needed, but because you need an army of skilled backstage workers and front of house staff to pull it off. The society is indeed fortunate to have the skills of Dan Scott (Lighting), Theo Scott (Sound); costume advisers/makers (wonderful costumes)), set painters (I loved the dungeon scene) as well as those who manage the props, the important prompt and front of house teams. Sandra Evans who designed the wonderful set and functioned as stage manager with a small team of stage crew managed the scene changes with ease.
Last and by no means least the biggest cheer must go to the young producer (her first full pantomime production) Chloe Macdonald-Spiers. With the help of her production assistant, mother, Marcia. Chloe presided over another successful WADS Pantomime – the 56 th in the history of WADS. “Some may have doubted the choice of a non-traditional title, but Chloe had the confidence and determination to make it a success, and she did that in spades.”
A final point! There was a truly magical moment when a noticeably young audience member, so totally engaged, pre-empted the lines of Tiffany Tickle to the delight of audience andactors. Helen Coyne responded brilliantly. It made my night! Even more than being unexpectedly put into the spotlight, which I also enjoyed!
Sam Peates
