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By Norman Robbins
Directed by Bob Petersen
Performed on Wednesday 24 - Saturday 27 November 2004 at Pentyrch Village Hall
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Summary In this pantomime adaptation of the Grimm's story, some children are discovered playing Ladderwords, changing one word to another, a single letter at a time, retaining an actual word during each change. Grettle says she can change Flax to Gold. Unfortunately the King , whose gold has been mysteriously disappearing, hears this and mistakes this for an actual boast. He orders Grettle to work the change or she will lose her head, much to the protests of the Prince who is in love with her. She is shut in the tower to perform the task and the gnome, Rumpelstiltzkin, comes to offer to help her - at a price. We then follow the story in the details of the defeat of the gnome by the guessing of his secret name and despite other complications from the wicked Baron and his henchmen, all end happily. NODA Review of 'Rumpelstiltzkin' Ho, ho, ho and its panto time again. And I couldn’t have had a better one to start the season than this light, frothy and very funny Rumpelstiltzkin at Pentyrch Village Hall in November. Grettle, a clever girl adept at playing Ladderwords (changing one word to another by altering a single letter at a time) changes ‘flax’ to ‘gold’ and creates confusion and chaos. A delightful strong performance by Leigh Coggins, well supported by Charlotte Hayward as her young friend Rosamund. King Marmaduke and Queen Matilda, colourfully played by John Major and Heather Major, are royally short of gold and, mistaking her ability, demand that she replenish the coffers – or else. It’s gallant prince Roland to the rescue, together with his friend, Alan, in fine dashing performances by Menna Davies and Helen Page. But wicked Baron bludshot, played with sneering evil by John Crimmins, is also after the mythical gold, hilariously hindered by his incompetent henchmen, Smash and Grabb - well played comedy by Steve Williams and Phil Davies. In good team work, Martyn Lench was an impressive Dame as the bold and brassy mother Hubbard, with Dai Williams doing a great job cranking up the laughter as Sammy Slowcoach. Together with blue cheese, Tracey Richards was the stuff that nightmares are made of as a monstrous, horrible green dwarf, the thoroughly nasty Rumpelstiltzkin. A great team of youngsters, enthusiastic and eager, giving all their worth, were a delight to watch with just a few of the ‘ah’ moments reserved for Rolex, the dog, played by Sian Davies. A secure and straightforward production by Bob Petersen was attractively backed by interesting and unusual musical numbers selected by Musical Director, Linda Coombes, which were always appropriate to the storyline. We all had a good night out with the best of community theatre. Reviewed by Frank Wooles Cast King Marmaduke John Major Queen Matilda Heather Major Prince Roland Menna Davies Alan Helen Page Rosamund Charlotte Hayward Mother Hubbard Martyn Lench Grettle Leigh Coggins Sammy Slowcoach Dai Williams Baron Bludshot John Crimmins Smash Steve Williams Grabb Phil Davies Rumpelstiltzkin Tracy Richards Rolex the Dog Sian Davies Adult Chorus, Villagers, Guards, Courtiers, Soldiers Rhys Stapleton, Richard Jones, Sara Pickard, Jan Stapleton, Elen Clee Childrens Chorus, Villagers, Golden Spiders Megan Thomas, Bethany Petersen, Aimee Blair, Carla Gambarini, Conor Brewer, Abby Dawson, Megan Lewis, Elinor, Brewer, Megan Hayward, Matthew Brettle, Tomas Brettle
Production Team Producer/Director Bob Petersen Assistant Director Ruth Crowder Director's Assistant Mary Hampson Musical Director Linda Coombes Choreographer Jocelyn Elmer Stage Manager Wayne Brewer Assistant Stage Manager Raynor Phinnemor Properties Jan Stapleton Assistant Properties Raynor Phinnemor Set Design & Construction Wayne Brewer, Rhys Stapleton, Raynor Phinnemor, Josh Cripp Wardrobe Mistress Ros Jones Wardrobe Assistant Jan Stapleton Specialist Makeup Karen Claridge, Anne Morris Lighting and Sound Wayne Brewer Business Manager Bob Petersen House Manager Bob Petersen Front of House Members / Friends of Hilltop Box Office Brenda Slaughter
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