Treasure Island - the Panto			Download the programme.
Awash with laughter
On a dismal, wet night in Grasmere, those who braved the weather were rewarded with a trip to a desert island in the company of a wonderful assortment of characters, strange and funny enough to banish thoughts of the wet trip home. Yes, The Grasmere Players were in full swing with their Christmas production Treasure Island - The Panto.
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		Written and directed by Annie Miller, the production had all the elements of a real panto - live musical accompaniment, songs, dance, special effects to banish all thoughts of snoozing on the back row and with a cast as diverse as one could wish.
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Introduced by a wonderfully camp Dame Ruby, who continued to thrill with her dress sense, the action then moved to the Admiral Benbow Inn and characters familiar in name from the original book of Treasure Island. Freddy Warne as Jim Hawkins was suitably unfazed by all the wickedness around him, especially that of the leading pirates Hugh Wright (a sinister Blind Pew) and Paul Nelson, hopping menacingly as one-legged Long John Silver.
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		Not to be outdone by the men were a strong cast of leading ladies: Penny Blackburn as Kitty, with some fine humorous moments, Laura Jackson, excellent as Molly the demure young lady who transforms into a thigh-slapping young sailor to follow her secret love Squire Livesey (played by Dan Blenkarn - who nicely captured the spirit of panto).
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As the action moved to the good ship Hispaniola and then to Treasure Island itself, peopled by monsters who turn out to be WI members stranded many years ago, the large supporting cast played out their roles with enthusiasm. With the obligatory happy ending and the excellent backstage backup, the Players treated us to a rousing introduction to winter festivities.
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Pam Williamson The Westmorland Gazette, January 2nd 2004.