A happy new year to you all. This being my post Christmas break the blog continues to lack theological insight and offers, instead, a sharing of my relaxation! Yesterday was a magical day for the whole family as we made our way to the Assembly Halls, Tunbridge Wells for this years panto- ‘Peter Pan’. It was a jovial and lavish production and thoroughly enjoyable. Only four performances remain now, so if you can get hold of a ticket I recommend you do.
That said we nearly left after only five minutes! Were we outraged? No. Offended? No. It was just that Jemima was absolutely petrified by the voice of Captain Hook which bellowed out a warning concerning mobile phones before the show even started! ‘Take me home daddy!’ ‘I think we should leave!’ It took no less than fifteen minutes crouched by the exit doors to cajole her back to a seat!!
The frightening Hook was played by Ray Meagher, known to many as ‘Alf’ from the Australian soap ‘Home and Away’. He really was top notch and carried the show with his presence. I confess that the other ‘stars’ were entirely lost on me as to who they are…but that did not matter one bit because they all put on a most fantastic show.
The camp pirates amazed with gasp inducing acrobatic displays, the singing was top notch and the flying Pan had energy, warmth and charisma. Superb and, by the end, the once quaking Jemima was clapping along and shouting out at the top of her voice. On the way home she stated a desire to invite all the cast home for dinner…with the exception of the dastardly Captian Hook as he was just a little TOO scary, in her opinion!! ‘Oh no he isn’t', said I. ‘Oh yes he is!’ said Jemima….and that conversation took us all the way home.
A massive thanks to Karen and Mark Stewart for organising this show for us. Their daughter works at the Assembly Hall and organised complimentary tickets for us all. What a lovely gesture and how much we all enjoyed it. Aaaargh..now where is my eye patch?
