Triumph for youth theatre

Dec 11 2008 by Margaret Shaw, Hamilton Advertiser

PANTOMIME season is one of my favourite times of the year.

It takes my mind off all the Christmas presents I haven’t bought yet and the fuel bills I can’t afford to pay.

For the many people in Lanarkshire who trek through to the King’s in Glasgow for some panto fun, watching the likes of Gerard Kelly and Karen Dunbar romp through Cinderella, please take note.

There is a Hamilton group who will bring you just as much Christmas cheer come panto season.

The Hamilton District Youth Theatre (HDYT) once again produced a fun-filled frolic in their panto production.

This year is was Aladdin, with shows taking place all last week at Hamilton Town House.

The group’s very own Jude Ryan, who excelled as the panto dame, wrote this adaptation of the classic story which centres on a cheeky Chinese boy who pulls his Princess with a little help from the Genie in the lamp.

Nineteen-year-old Jude’s performance as Widow Twankie was the highlight of the show.

In a range of flowery dresses, complemented by a ridiculous blue wig, Jude kept all the Brownies and, in last Thursday night’s case, the Hamilton Accies Girls’ team in good spirits.

He also put in some witty innuendos to keep the adults on side.

Brian Bonthron, in the title role, was in fine form, as was Twankie’s accomplice Clare Ryan, performing as Wishee.

Suzanne Hunt excelled again as the beautiful singing Princess who catches Aladdin’s eye while a word must also go to excellent HDYT regulars Stuart Love (Genie) and Nicole Grant (Slave of the Ring).

Alistair Davy, meanwhile, would have been hoarse after all his cackling as the evil Abanazer.

Popular songs including Rhianna’s Umbrella, Abba’s Money Money Money and, of course, A Whole New World from the popular Disney movie, gave the audience the opportunity to sing, with a particularly enthusiastic rendition being given by the Brownies sitting behind me.

The HDYT made some very positive steps with their Christmas panto this year.

The decision to split the cast into two groups may have harmed consistency a little but it gave some more eager youngsters the opportunity to perform in front of friends, family and supporters of the HDYT.

Steve Mann (artistic director) and Chris Wilson (choreographer) aimed for a professional-looking show and they achieved it.

This reviewer particularly enjoyed the demonic take on Tchaikovsky’s Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy while Aladdin was trapped in the Genie’s cave.

Next June, the HDYT will make a landmark trip to Canada.

Before then, on March 20 and 21, Hamilton Town House will once again host the group as they have a go at Alice in Wonderland.

Pop along if you are in need of some cheering up after the New Year slump. You won’t regret it!

Aladdin principals

Aladdin – Brian Bonthron; Princess Ginseng – Katherine McCluskey (Cast A), Suzanne Hunt (Cast B); Widow Twankie – Jude Ryan; Wishee – Daria Di Mambro (A), Clare Ryan (B); Genie – Jennifer Griffin (A), Stuart Love (B); Slave of the Ring – Nicole Grant; Abanazer – Alistair Davy; So Loose – Kirsty Austin (A), Mhairi McMurray (B); So Shy – Katie Cunningham (A), Marisa Russo (B); We Wan Chu – Mark Paterson; Is Chu – Daniel McAuley; The Empress – Pepe Marie Terry; The Emperor – Ross Malley; Dragon – Juliette Donnelly (A), Daniel Walsh (B).

Cast A – Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday matinee; Cast B – Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday evening.

Company

Cast A – Haven Bain, Rachael Brand, Carolyn Constable, Jennifer Constable, Erin Craig, Gemma Crawford, Rachael Cunningham, Shaun Devlin,Victoria Donnelly, Hannah Dunn, Emily Fairfull, Lucy Ferguson, Cerissa Gray, Ruth Jamieson, Lewis Kemp, Morven Kemp, Nicole Lamont, Dylan Lynas, Martyn McCann, Kieran McDade, Melissa McDade, Stephanie McDade, Abigail McGillivrey, Declan McKenzie, Jordan McKenzie, Heather McKie, Daniel Miller, Molly Miller, Larissa Perkins, Samantha Perry, Stephen Queen, Amy Stewart, Talia Stirling, Hannah Stubbs, Eve Sullivan, Sarah White.

Cast B – Sophie Bentwick, Nathan Boland, Connor Campbell, Emma Creaney, Caroline Cuthbert, Erin Duffy, Joseph Duffy, Kym Duguid, Lucy Harris, Matthew Healy, Katie Hazlie, Lauren Hazlie, Abbie Henderson, Lara Henderson, Olivia Keary, Hope Keary, Jordan Kincaid, Lauren Kincaid, Kyle Knox, Stacey Logan, Callum Love, Rachael Lytton, Rebecca Main, Erin McCullagh, Katie McCullagh, Sarah MacLean, Louise McLean, Daniella McMahon, Louise Newberry, Stephanie Newberry, Jodie Neil, Johann Nugent, Kendal Nicol, Lauren Nicol, Carla O’Neal, Bobbie Paterson, Daniella Russo, Hannah Scullion, Kirsty Smart, Linzi Stuart, Lauren Tait, Erin Walsh, Natalie Wotherspoon.