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Theatre Review by Rob Green

Having enjoyed Unfinished Business's debut production, The Penis Monologues, I had to go along to The Big Lunch at the Westgate Hall on Sunday to see their latest show, The Best Panto Ever.

This offering by the young theatre group could not be more different than their first production - this was a madcap comedy that left the audience crying with laughter! The Best Panto Ever, written by Danny Pegg, promised us Evil Queens, Giant Slayers, Big Bad Wolves, Beautiful Princesses, and a complete set of dwarfs ... however only two of the actors have turned up! Taking on several roles, with the help of the Narrator, a manic make-up lady, and a props girl thrust into the limelight, the young actors told the story of the Evil Queen's attempts to rid the land of all the most beautiful girls, only to be thwarted by Jack and Sleeping Beauty and a handful of magic beans.

Playing the Narrator with great gusto and panache was Alex Israel, whose appearance towards to the end as Pantomime Dame, Wolfina (complete with shocking pink bra) got a roar a laughter from the audience. Faith Austin's Sleeping Beauty was only surpassed by her own presentation of the Evil Queen's chavvy Magic Mirror, a performance of which Catherine Tate would have been proud!

Lucie Nash clearly loved playing the Evil Queen and her pet Wolfie, as she breathlessly but effortlessly jumped from one character to the other, often having conversations with herself. Kat Desjardin's appearances as The Make Up Lady were brief, but she managed to raise a laugh or two as she rushed out to hastily (and badly) apply make-up to each new character.

The show's star was once again the youngest member of the troupe, 16-year old Ben Steele, playing Jack and Grumpy the dwarf. Young Ben this time showed he has a strong flair for comedy and a talent for voices, as he bounded across the stage first as the panto's hero Jack, and then delivered his lines as Grumpy on his knees using a voice that most of us need Helium to produce!

Unfinished Business are a young troupe, but the two shows they have so far produced have been outstanding. As they mature they will only get better, and then the rest of the acting world had better watch out!

© Hawkinge Gazette and Channel Coast News 2010