The festive season may be over but there is still time to catch the pantomime antics of Robinson Crusoe and The Caribbean Pirates at The New Theatre, Cardiff.
Christopher Biggins, Paul Zerdin and David Bedella head the cast of a colourful production that delivers over two hours of fun for all the family encompassing comedy and adventure, with lots of song and dance for good measure.
Robinson Crusoe's Adventures In Pantomime
Robinson Crusoe and The Caribbean Pirates follows the adventures of the debonair Robinson Crusoe, who has in his possession a map that will give him access to the Temple of Treasure.
However, there’s a stranger in town in the form of Blackheart the Pirate who intends to thwart our hero and take possession of the map.
Only the intervention of a magical mermaid can save our hero and his friends as they are shipwrecked on Skull Island after a perilous journey.
Christopher Biggins Magnificent Appearance As Mrs Crusoe
Mixing many costume changes (including tributes to Shirley Bassey and Lady GaGa) with slapstick routines, Christopher Biggins makes his Cardiff Pantomime debut as Mrs Crusoe.
Biggins has been a mainstay of the Pantomime circuit for over four decades and it was easy to see why he is such a popular draw as he mixed deadpan humour and comic interaction with other cast members and the audience. This, of course, results in a magnificent performance from the star who has entertained generations of fans in appearances in TV programmes such as Porridge, Surprise Surprise and I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here
Paul Zerdin gives an energetic and upbeat performance as the hero of the story Robinson Crusoe, carrying great appeal to adults and children alike with the expert use of ventriloquism with his puppet, Sam.
Sam indeed steals the show from Paul on several occasions, particularly in a magical moment when the puppet is left alone on stage and magically comes to life before sharing the limelight with the beautiful Mermaid as portrayed by Lucy Sinclair.
David Bedella - The Pantomime Bad Guy Audiences Love To Boo
Star of stage and screen, David Bedella is Blackheart the Pirate looking the classic bad guy with red jacket and black eye make up. The audience simply loves to boo him as he appears to summon thunder and lightning at will.
Stephanie Siadatan and Alexander Delamere lend strong support as Girl Friday and Captain Cockle respectively. The ensemble cast that makes up Robinson’s Crew and The Lorri Guppy School of Dance dazzle the audience with spectacular sword fights, choreography and popular renditions of songs from High School Musical, Glee and Hairspray.
The colourful set design adds great depth to the production while sequences including a dramatic shipwreck, an underwater puppet sequence and Robinson’s showdown with Blackheart in the Temple of Treasure, remain among the productions magnificent moments.
- Robinson Crusoe and The Caribbean Pirates continues at Cardiff New Theatre until 22 January 2012, for booking information and ticket availability visit Cardiff New Theatre’s website.
