Bettyhill panto makes triumphant two-night return with Treasure Island
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MORE than 150 people turned out for the return of the Bettyhill village pantomime on January 28 and 29 as children and adults of all ages played their part in this year’s production of Treasure Island.
It is the first time the show has been performed since the pandemic and it was warmly welcomed back by a vocal and enthusiastic crowd over two nights.
This year's play, Treasure Island, originally written by Robert Louis Stevenson and Alan P Frayn, was performed by a cast of 20 with Dawn Staves in the role of Jim, show director Abby Hardwick as Captain Mullet and Potty Patsy, Andreas Herfurt as Long John Silver, Libby Mackay as The Squire, Maisie Mackay as Penny and Alistair Easthope as the Dame, Rosie Bloom.
A supporting cast included Graham Staves as Billy Barnacle, Leo York as Blind Ali, Caroline Easthope as Sea Snake Sally and Bella and Eliza Mackenzie as the Spirits in the Sea.
The roles of villagers and pirates were very capably performed by Benjamin Mackay (Jolly Roger), Rowan Ellis (Salty Sam), Emily Mackay (Cut Throat Kate), Megan Maclean (Rascal Rose) and Lewis Mackay (Jack Tar).
Ms Hardwick said: “Wow what a ride it’s been. We started rehearsing in October with about eight people, and by curtain up our cast and crew had expanded to about twenty.
“Our youngest are primary age from across the North Coast Campus, and our eldest is in his seventies. Treasure Island was our adventure of choice, me hearties, and we set sail for a rollicking adventure on the high sea.
“Our enthusiastic younger actors sang and danced their hearts out, helped with the community song, and distributed raffle prizes.
“Our audiences were small but vocal, and the odd fluffed line just seemed to increase their hilarity. Everyone seemed delighted to see us on stage again after two years’ break and paid us some lovely compliments.
“Huge thanks to all the unseen backstage crew! Drama, laughter and sea shanties galore!”
