British Pantomime Evokes Hoots of Laughter

Theater Review

What can an American say about a British Pantomime, except, fun, fun, fun! Part farce, part melodrama, packed with puns, one-liners and gag jokes, "Sing a Song of Sixpence" playing at the Mayflower Club in North Hollywood is a cackle-a-minute production that audiences can really get into…literally.

As instructed in a pre-show announcement, the audience is encouraged to boo and hiss at the villain and cheer, applaud, whistle and sigh whenever the hero or heroine (or any other "good guy") appears.

(After an intermission that includes "bangers on a bun," donuts, coffee, tea, beer and wine, the audience participation kicks into high gear.)

Loosely following the children´s nursery rhyme, the players in this gig are, the King (Dean Lawrence) in his counting house (this monarch has a magic crown), the Queen (Holly Markman) in the parlor (not the royal wife, but a bankrupt neighbor with a scheme to snag the king´s "bread" and honey), the soon-to-be-nose-less maid (Vicki Burch) in the garden hanging laundry (what else?), and of course, those 24 pesky blackbirds in a pie.

Dame Durdon (played hilariously in drag by Tim Holtwick) is the fantastical pie baker around whom the story revolves. Her sidekick is none other than Simple Simon (another scene-stealer played by Kevin Delude).

There´s the lonely Princess Rosemary (Kate Finch), who falls for the good-hearted but penniless Prince Valentine (Gail Alexia Reilly), who of course must show gallantry and courage to win the day…and the fair lady.

The green and nasty Witch Watt (played with delightful menace by Carl Schuster) lusts for the King´s magic crown and all the wealth and power it brings.

The good fairy Gossamer (an aged, but hysterically ageless, Maggi Robson) appears at crucial moments to foil the witch, help Valentine, and of course, make everything come out "happily every after" in the end.

In addition to these familiar characters, "Sixpence" adds a courtly chamberlain (Roland Barrow), a pair of court jesters (Wendy Garrido, Judith DeMarco), and a company of cooks, villagers, Gypsies, and entr´acte entertainers.

Speaking of which… the bawdy blackbird who entertained by song and wit during scene changes was played by Joyce Bergloff who…laid an egg on stage (a black one!).

And singers Jim Sanderson and Mike Reynolds tickled our funny bones with renditions of "You Are My Sunshine" and "The Good Old Days." (In fact, many of the scenes included parts or parodies of old 1930s-40s songs.)

Director/Co-Producer, Terril Miller also stepped into the show as one of the Gypsies, and mesmerized the audience with her sexy, undulating, belly dance.

Traditionally a British Pantomime is boisterous and outrageous, as many of the characters are broadly played by cross-dressing performers. The Dame is always played by a man in gaudy, outlandish costume and makeup and the young hero by a lovely girl in shorts and high heels.

The art form dates back to Shakespearean times and usually opens in England on Boxing Day (December 26). The Mayflower Club´s first production was in 1971, and then from 1980 on, continued as a popular annual event.

For a hoot of a time, when you are can to giggle, chuckle, cackle, whistle and stamp (and no one minds) rush to see "Sing a Song of Sixpence." The run is short.

Performances are Saturday, January 21 at 2:00 pm (special for kids) and 8:00 pm, and Friday & Saturday, February 6 &7 at 8:00 pm.

Tickets are $12.50 (prepaid) and $15.00 (at the door) and include a free "banger on a bun."

Call (818) 769-9805 for reservations and information.

The Mayflower Club is located at 11110 Victory Blvd., North Hollywood, Ca 91619 (near Vineland, across from Target).