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Sinbad the Pantomime, Featuring the Little Mermaid

Published Friday 27 November 2009 at 12:40 by Thom Dibdin

Rooted firmly in Musselburgh and East Lothian, plotwise, Liam Rudden’s fourth pantomime for the Brunton utilises all the expected elements of this year’s popular cultural events while giving some respectful nods to Scottish pantomimes of the past.

Amy Winehouse, Susan Boyle and Michael Jackson reference the music, the Tardis makes an unscheduled stop - to facilitate an excellent quick-change routine from Craig Glover’s Saucy Nancy - and the local junior football team are not merely name checked but woven into the plot.

Uncharacteristically, this starts at a low ebb. Aaron Usher’s opening song as Swishee Swashee is pleasant but seems designed to settle the audience down, not gee them up. And Saucy Nancy’s first appearance is dowdy in the extreme.

One snap-change later and the whole thing has gone from nought to 60 in the blink of an eye, thanks to Glover. Well-served by Christine Ross’ costumes, he works his audience hard, is quick in delivery and provides a dynamic duo with Usher.

Elsewhere, Gavin Paul is an amiable Sinbad, David Elliot strong support as sidekick Shingle and Isabella Jarrett a nasty Crabsclaw. But it is Julie Heatherill who catches the eye as Coral the Mermaid - particularly as Rudden builds his ending with a strong understanding of the redemptive power of love.

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