Thumbelina. Stardust. Terry O'Toole Theatre, North Hykeham, Lincoln. 23 March 2025

There is no theatrical event in my annual calendar more satisfying than my visit to North Hykeham to watch Stardust perform their bespoke pantomimes written by the ever-prolific Kei Bailey. Stardust is a uniquely inclusive drama group for young adults who have a love of theatre and a love of performing, it is very special. I was mortified when I was unable to attend their dress rehearsal a couple of weeks ago as I shoot photos for the company as well as review their shows. However, I was unable to drive due to complications with my knee replacement. However, the amazing producer Sara Sprague ensured that I would not miss out completely and arranged a ticket for me to be able to see the panto before it closed. Unlike my previous journeys to see the group, I was unencumbered by cameras and equipment and sat back ready to enjoy my time as a panto punter. The show did not disappoint. It was a veritable explosion of colour with fantastic costumes.

It was also a pleasure seeing professional dame, Ian Norton as Dame Flora Pumpkinsocks, having last seen him in panto at Grimsby Auditorium. The cast must be thrilled to have a number of professionals acting alongside them and it is a sure sign of the company’s success that they are willing to join them on stage.

As the creative director of Stardust Kei Bailey plays a massive part in writing and directing the show, but he also features as a magpie/narrator who ensures that the action continues to flow throughout the show. Are there terrible puns and lots of "Dad Jokes"? Of course there are! That is exactly what is called for. But Kei infuses his work with such wit and warmth that I defy anyone not to raise a laugh, as he masterfully guides us through the fairytale landscapes. He introduces us to the many and varied locations and the incredible arrray of wonderful creatures that inhabit them.

The opening number is of course, the song Thumbelina made famous by Danny Kaye in Hans Christian Anderson the song was performed brilliantly with flourish and confidence by Thomas Marron as King Merrycherry. To see Thomas improve year on year is wonderful. He is a warm and witty performer who has really progressed in the four years I have been watching these pantos, but he is not alone in doing so. Thomas' chemistry with the King's wife, Queen Honeypepper played by Laura Davies was terrific. I loved the scene where the Queen tried to matchmake for her son having found suitable fairy princesses in Lucy Baptist and Beth Stokes with their servants played by Mandy Ashley and Alicia Kearn. If I learned one thing, its is "if you snooze you lose"!

The title character of Thumbelina was played by Brianna Sprague, who has also made amazing progress, and we could see her confidence level grow and grow as she performed throughout the show, and she gave real character to the role. At one point Brianna really gave her character some sass! Thumbelina is the apple of many a suitor’s eye and none more so than the charming and handsome Prince Thistledown, played by Jason Radford. Jason was a newcomer in last year’s show and had a big role this year which included singing the song Dizzy, which he did amazingly well. What a leap in terms of performing ability! The Prince was ably assisted by his servant, Nettleplum played by Jeff Morris.The level of improvement among these young people is remarkable and they demonstrate real commitment to the show and overcome any personal issues of self-confidence to become consummate performers.

Becki Doughty was the Empress of the frogs, looking for love whilst ruling with an iron fist and ordering her minions about with style. Her froggy partners included Linda Mallett as Mrs Mottlegill, Tom Kirk as an incredibly smiley frog named Squirmly. His love of performance shines through his eyes whenever he takes to the stage. Bogby was played by Samantha Kendall and Rhys Smith, who was also new to Stardust at last year’s panto delivered some really funny lines as Craggle the frog and Peter Holden was Pondwart. Assisting the frogs were the perennial comedy duo that is Adam Fielding and William Pavitt. William was brilliant as a mad cackling frog named Ditcher, resplendent in his biker jacket. He also confidently addressed the audience after the show as everyone was being thanked for what they had done for the production. Adam, as Newton Squill the newt, is always hilarious and provides so much energy that his fellow performers feed off.

The cast is huge, and roles have been written to suit every performer, the animals in the forest included the always impressive Colette Buchanan-Gray as a mouse named Miss Nutmeg, Hollie Morris as a Bramble Bushtail, a squirrel who performed a captivating dance, beautifully as Colette sang. Maria Michael played a swallow named Miss Sunsage. Dilltwitch the rabbit was performed by Kerry Sutton, Henry Jackson appeared as hedgehog Spudspike and is another performer who cannot help but demonstrate his love of performing on his face whenever he appears. Linda Wilson was Jenney Berry a wren and Elizabeth O’Rourke  was Tippity Tapbark, a woodpecker. And last but not least of the woodland creatures is the incredibly entertaining Stephen Coote as the mole Mr Mumblesnout who sang Shake Senora with great aplomb and retained his character throughout his entire performance. I really “dug” his performance (groan!)

Jo Warrick led the baddies as Fester the weasel and was fabulously energetic, setting the bar for the young performers to follow and follow they did, especially James Southee as a rat named Grimtooth. He threw himself into his role and was again highly amusing just as he was portraying one of Robin Hood’s Merry Men last year. Nathan Storey was great as Slippery Jack the jackdaw and Annie Bridge was Shadowthorn the raven. Courtney Brumpton a shrew named Smudgesniff, Karen Storey as Dustdiver the bat and Elize Bryant as Greenweed a lizard all provided excellent support.

I have already mentioned the Dame, superbly played by Ian Norton but assistance was offered at Flora’s flower factory by Daisy Dewhurst (Rosie Booth), Lavendar Lilyweather (Amy Woodley) and Lynn Kendal as Violet Wintercress. I must not forget Jack Strange who succeeded in really selling some of the witty one-liners written by Kei, as Ash Pearfoot. Jack demonstrated a great sense of humour in his performance. I was especially impressed with the work of Josh Lane, whose comic timing and ability to sell a joke is getting better each year. Josh played a lovelorn beetle named Gherklin under his mother’s (played by Sue Fletcher) thumb. Assisting Thumbelina was Dotty Dripdrop (Sara Sprague), Dimplefleck - a woodlouse - played by Becky Murray and Peachpetal a butterfly played with great enthusiasm by Johanna Robinson with her signature wand, who would so often “ad lib” a few lines much to the amusement of those working on stage with her.

Special mention goes to panto favourite, Paige Ruddlesdin as Buttercup Bumblebuzz, a bee who was determined to move the plot along at all costs but also provided great comic relief and continuity within the story. Her presence offered focus and stability and encouraged those on stage, and it was Paige’s choreography that helped reflect the joy that exists within these students in their performance. The big dance numbers including At The Hop and Dizzy, along with Paige’s own performance of Blame It On The Boogie all looked great and gave all the students the chance to bop til they dropped.

Kei Bailey's script is the perfect tonic for those feeling below par, I always come away from a Stardust panto full of appreciation for what I have and grateful to have had a chance to see such uplifting and joyful work. These students are resilient, resourceful and full of joy. Long may Stardust continue to produce this work, and my heart goes out to the dedication of all who make it possible for this annual joyfest to make it on stage.

Andy Evans 24 March 2025