AS the curtain opened we were treated to the song Everything’s Coming Up Roses performed with gusto and in colourful costumes.  This set the mood for the whole show.

This panto, by Jim Spernick, gave Silchester Players a chance to shine and shine they did. All the principals were excellent. The pace was slick, the songs delightfully sung and costumes as bright as Princess Coleen’s smile. 

Anita Hatch deserves special praise as Green Witch Meantime as does Ellie Stamp as Mouse, who donned a succession of very sweet facial expressions. Stephen Bibby as Old Hickery Dickory was very convincing and Brian Gillett was brilliant as the baddie, Virus. I particularly enjoyed his transformation from geeky assistant to Super Bug and this was done Superman style. He had the task of convincing us he was invisible which was hilarious in its ridiculousness.

Keith Graham was on sparkling form as Dame Megabite in a series of exquisite gowns. This is a panto I’d not seen before and I really enjoyed it.  

Directed by John Coffin and produced by Sarah Oliver, this delightful modern panto (with something a little different) was one of the best I’ve seen in quite a few years.

Performances continue in Silchester Village Hall on February 1-2. Tickets are available from 0118 981 5600.