‘PUSS in Boots’, is not the most widely known of pantomime stories. However, Holsworthy Amateur Theatrical Society have come up with an extremely funny family pantomime, which a large and talented cast, made up of seasoned veterans as well as many new faces, exploit to the full, resulting in an exciting and fast-paced magical show, writes Christine Williams.

The 17th century rags-to-riches tale begins with three miller’s sons about to receive their inheritance. Jack Lovegrove as ‘Jethro’ and Tom Chandler-Ross as ‘Jasper’ make a superb comedy team as the not-too-bright, gullible brothers who suddenly find themselves rich.

Jo Taskis is every inch a principal boy as ‘Jack’ the younger brother whose inheritance is...a cat! This is no ordinary cat as, once he dons boots, he can move and speak like a human and sets about changing his master’s fortunes.

Andrea Nosworthy as ‘Mime Puss’ is transformed in a flash into a stylish, dominating ‘Puss in Boots’, played to perfection by Leighann Johns. Another great comedy pairing are the ‘skint’ monarchs, who are in search of a wealthy son-in-law to solve their financial problems.

Played by Peter Whitehead, the garrulous and dominating ‘Queen Wendy’ is full of comedy tricks including a bedtime striptease. In contrast and only able to utter “Yes, dear”, Phil Barfett as ‘King Wally’ is a master of facial expressions.

Jodie Lawson is every inch a princess as their pretty daughter ‘Esmerelda’ and it is love at first sight when she meets Jack. However, ‘Grimgrab’ the ogre, played with appropriate malevolence by Ron Lester, is bleeding the kingdom dry and wants to marry her.

He is aided and abetted in his nefarious plans by the ‘Evil Fairy Pernicia’ (Amy Clarke) who fights and eventually loses the battle between good and evil with her sister, the ‘Good Fairy Priscilla’ (Kim Whiting).

Contributing to the hilarity are ‘Bobbie’, the royal page (Dan Hunt), village girls ‘Babs’ (Tracey Wosnitzka) and ‘Betty’ (Terina Ellacott), Charley Gear as ‘Millie’ and Rebecca Davis as ‘Phoebe’ and a trio of rabbits of surprising stature (John Dixon, Grant Fulcher and Charles Jeffery Hudson), whose involvement in a chase sequence is high comedy.

There is some fine singing by the principals and the chorus, conducted and accompanied by musical director Georgina Bridle, Kirsten Chandler-Ross (piano), Gary Bridle (guitar) and Joey Stoate (drums), give their all in song and dance from the opening number, ‘It’s a Good Day’ to the stirring final chorus, ‘Come Alive’.

The audience too add to the fun with their participation from booing the villains to the ‘he’s behind you’ routine and singing the pantomime song ‘The Bunny Song’.

HATS has a reputation for excellent sets and costumes and this show is no exception. Designed and painted by Sarah O’Connor and her team, the scenes are worthy of being framed and hung. The costumes designed and created by Mary Barfett and her wardrobe ladies are breath-taking, especially the amazing creations worn by the ‘Dame’ and the red and gold costumes for the final walk-down. The lighting and sound effects by Tony Prouse and his team are spot on and Annette Dennis deserves applause for the make-up, especially of the cats.

Staging a show like Puss in Boots has required the hard work, talent and dedication of more than one hundred people and above all of the producers and directors, Rob and Sue Painter. Having first met in a HATS production of ‘Hansel and Gretel’ in 1972, they have poured all the theatrical know-how they have gained over the years into making this another memorable HATS pantomime.

The two week run of ‘Puss in Boots’ ends next Saturday evening, February 16.