Thetford Players are celebrating after the resounding success of their latest pantomime, Hansel and Gretel.
This year’s production was written by Thetford’s own Soan Sisters, Frankie and Maddie, who also directed and produced the show alongside executive producer Jo Cooper. Carefully crafted, the traditional fairytale was refreshed with the addition of new characters, lively comedy and some artfully placed innuendos, ensuring laughter flowed throughout.
Carol and Andy Smith brought the show to life with fantastic costumes and set design, including a stunning gingerbread house to rival professional theatre productions, with support from props manager Jo van der Hulks, lighting by Garry Fitch and sound by Arron Peters.
The audience was whisked away to Schnitzelton with a strong opening rendition of Candy by Robbie Williams, setting the scene for a truly unique panto experience. The live band performed a carefully curated, sweet-themed soundtrack, with lyrics cleverly adapted to fit the storyline. Joining the band this year was new drummer Edward Harris, a talented 11-year-old who rehearsed each number during his regular drumming lessons and slotted seamlessly into the established group. Charley Holt’s original choreography further enhanced both the soundtrack and the script. All the traditional ingredients of a great panto were present, with audience participation encouraged from the very start.
Panto favourite George Cooke did not disappoint in his second outing as a dame, forming a sublime partnership with Adam Bond as Jack Lumber, Hansel and Gretel’s father and love interest of Victoria Sponge. James Trayton played Colin, the Dame’s son and friend to Hansel and Gretel, acting as a perfect foil to the exuberance of his mother and Jack. One audience member declared it was the best panto she had ever seen, with another saying: “It was a wonderful night. It was my children’s first time at the panto and definitely not the last. It was perfect to say the least!”
Emma Kelly clearly relished the role of the baddie, delivering a strong performance as the Evil Witch and drawing boos galore with every appearance. Taking villainy to new heights were Zoran Hanitzsch and Anna Kedge (pictured) as Gingey and Whingey, the Witch’s gingerbread henchmen, who served up plenty of laughs. It was the first time the pair had shared the stage since 2018.
This year’s comedy double act evolved into a trio, with Nat Holding joining Phil Pearson and Stuart Wright, bringing a fresh twist to Thetford Players’ longest-running duo. Nat was joined on stage by his wife, Linzi, who delivered a convincing wicked stepmother during the first half.
Following their success in The SpongeBob Musical – Youth Edition, Reece Fuller and Ebony Bailey took on the principal boy and girl roles with enthusiasm, while Summer-Brooke Harvey tied the show together beautifully as Candy Cane the Fairy, the show’s narrator.
The principal cast was supported by an energetic ensemble of all ages, who sang and danced their hearts out while popping up throughout the show as villagers, police officers, fairies and even a gummy bear, in a playful new take on the traditional ghost scene.
Speaking about this year’s production, retiring Chairperson Jo Cooper said: “This is my last panto as chair of the group, and it’s been more amazing than I could ever have expected. Everyone has worked so hard, and it’s been fabulous to have an original script again. I’ve absolutely loved it, and I’m going out on a blinder.”
