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There have been many pantomime versions of "Old King Cole" but as this is a very short nursery rhyme (although it does have verses with harpists and drummers); it has not become a well known story. This plot follows the search and retrieval of Old King Cole's crown, stolen by Abanazar, in a journey travelling via Scotland and Egypt.
I liked the idea of the Queen's love of sweets, the sweet references and the King calling her 'sweet' nicknames (al la Chitty Chitty Bang Bang). Also, the traditional ghost scene using 'the mummy' and the silliness, yet naivete of the fiddlers three - 'Hey', 'Diddle' and 'Dee'.
The dialogue flowed easily but there are lots of one liner jokes, by everyone, which, for me, didn't help the story line and detracted from 'Rhubarb Fool' and 'Candy Floss' the principal comedy characters, it's good to see the straight characters too. I would have also liked to have heard more rhyme from the evil immortal Abanazar.
It was encouraging that the authors recommend the following essential traditional pantomime elements: a female principal boy in tights, a change of Dame's costume for every scene, an outlandish Dame's costume for the finale and the need to enjoy yourselves.
The script includes production notes with suggested lists for lighting, properties and costumes but only three song titles were suggested from the music list of sixteen song and dance numbers. I am sure this pantomime will be popular with many groups. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - | |
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