This year saw the return of traditional panto, with a production of Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves, expertly directed by Andrew Middleton. The show was introduced and charmingly narrated by Julia Beckley as Scheherezade. Now, forty thieves were always going to be a tall order for Hardington, so the Players made two do the work of many more. Luckily these two were the talented duo of Elsa Hedges and Tanya Ogden, as Hanki and Panki, whose comic timing and stage presence were a delight. Their double act was enhanced by the addition of the two identical clueless recruits, Hurli and Burli, played by Hattie and Izzie Hoskyns. The other great pairing was that of Karen Clotworthy and Karen Brown, who, skimpily attired in full harem costume, and fluttering their enormous eyelashes at any passing male, performed one of the show-stopping songs, ‘Sisters’,  to tremendous applause.

Ali Baba was played by the ever-dependable Dan Wells, pursued by the big-hearted, big-bosomed, big-voiced David Cleaton as Salmonella, the Dame.  David Beckley, unrecognizable behind pebble specs, stumbled and whined most effectively as Mustapha Leik (these names!). Then, of course, there had to be a villain, and who else but Alan Grassam as El Abadan, all in black, with a laugh to send shivers down the spine. With his magic lamp, he summoned up the Genie, Wendy Simmonds, in a puff of smoke. She was , as you might expect, a Genie with attitude. 

The young lovers were appealingly portrayed by Lucy Bell and Maia White, while the last pairing of Maggs Soulsby and John  Gilmore, as Fatima and Kassim Baba, produced more comic moments. One of my favourite characters was the donkey, Hotay, wearing a windmill (get it?), whose amazing costume was very well filled by Claire Middleton and Jamie Knibbs. With no lines to speak, this burro made himself universally understood.

All the children were delightful, especially when costumed as the guardians and the spirits of the cave. They were Megan, Rachel, Sophie, Molly, Polly, Caroline, Rose, Bethany, Libby and Nicky. It was obvious that they were having a whale of a time, and perhaps some will go on to have starring roles in years to come.

Tanya’s Tappers hoofed as vivaciously as ever, and the adult chorus played their part in keeping the action going.

In any production like this, there are many unsung backstage heroes and heroines, without whom the show could not go on. Every one of them deserves praise, from the prompter to the creative make-up team, but one must single out the gifted Derek Richards for his imaginative scenery, particularly the cave and its treasure-filled interior, Elaine Peters for her considerable musical talents, Jenny Dodd for the superb costumes, Helen Spearing and Jim Lefeuvre for their usual smooth, and always spot-on, lighting and sound effects. Jack Clotworthy, with his stalwart stage crew, managed the complicated scene changes with his customary invisible skill.

And finally, two more of my personal highlights from a most entertaining evening: Tanya and Elsa’s hilarious cabaret act, aided by Tanya’s Tappers, and Julia and David’s jolly singalong with the audience, bolstered by four of the most improbable speciality dancers you are ever likely to see. The hall was filled to capacity with a loudly appreciative crowd. Experienced producer Anne Lunt skilfully managed everything with aplomb.

Sally Norris