January 28 2016

Brenda Gower Regional NODA Representative writes:


Ooh! I love the Panto Season and it’s always a pleasure to come to Seaford and watch the talented cast strut their stuff. I have to say right at the beginning that I was impressed with the way everyone carried on after the incident when a lady in the audience was taken unwell and congratulations as well to all who were quickly on hand to help her.

Well done to Writer and Director Paula Woolven for including quite a few different touches in this production, especially the opening with Ali Gibson as Belle and the chorus and later on with Dani McDonald as Snow White – two lovely Princesses.

Singing and acting from everyone was excellent, with Gemma Albrow as Princess Jasmine who used her skill to give us a lovely Princess. Jack West played Jack Twinkle, home from his adventuring in true Harrison Ford style, who charmed us with his excellent singing voice. John Tester was Widow Twinkle giving us a Dame in his own inimitable style – great fun. Karla Marsland completed the family as Achoo Twinkle – another excellent performance.

Caley Foster and Rebecca Woolven were The Cow, Pat and what a super cow she was. I love a good baddie and Sue James as Fleshcrawl did not disappoint. Always elegant and supremely bad, she deserved all the boos and hisses from the audience! Her cohorts, Ant and Dec were played by Steve Llewellyn and Carl Martin – very enjoyable performances. Shar Turnbull was the Giant’s Wife using all her comedic skill to great effect.

The supporting cast and chorus all added greatly to the fun and everyone looked super, thanks to Cath Brooks and Hilary Ryan - (a very impressive costume for Jenny Humphries who was the Golden Harp). Michaela Twaits and John Le Serve were responsible for set design and construction and it was certainly a very good set indeed.

Musical Director Russell Taylor and the band were a wonderful accompaniment to the show and Choreographer Stuart Hall made sure that all the movement on stage worked so well. The programme was well laid out with good use of colour photography and the biographies of all involved made good reading. Many thanks are due to all those working backstage and front of house as well.

Paula Woolven must be very pleased indeed with the way her writing and directing, together with the Seaford talent have made this Panto such a success.


Brenda Gower
Regional National Operatic and Dramatic Association Representative


Pictured : High Sheriff of East Sussex, Juliet Smith, with the cast.