Panto: Hercules

Dragged along in support of friends, I must admit I didn’t have the highest of hopes for the show; I definitely wouldn’t have called myself a panto person, but maybe I do now.

The first production of Hercules was marred by our typically British summer, having originally been scheduled to take place outside in Vanbrugh Bowl, but luckily managed to nearly fill Vanbrugh Dining Hall despite the two-hour delay.

The show begins with Hercules and mother in tow presenting the fruits of his labours to the Gods on Mount Olympus, hoping to earn his immortality. In a slight reworking of the classic tale he is sent on one last errand, to retrieve the Golden Girdle of Hippolyta. A twist of fate leads him to travel through time in search of it, hotly pursued by evil goddess Hera’s minions Romulus and Remus.

Admirably anchored by Rory Hern as a weak-willed Hercules and Paul Virides as his sex-God-obsessed mother Alcemede, the panto does a fantastic job of showcasing the comedic talents of every cast member, with even the smallest characters being given ample chance to shine.

Personal favourite moments included Hippolyta (Emy Martyn), the bunny-boiler queen of the Amazons, being stood up at the alter and Gruff God Zeus (Tom Marlow) serenading the evil queen Hera (Emily Williamson) with ‘Don’t You Want My Baby’. Hannah Schembri as the princess in the tower in particular reduced my companions and I to tears with a hilarious version of ‘Alone’.

Credit must be given to writer Luke Malkin, who deftly worked in ample pop culture references (charizard and Star Wars anyone?) whilst retaining the boo-hiss “he’s behind you” factor that makes British Pantomime so unique.

Laughter echoed around the room throughout, even occasionally drowning out the cheers from neighbouring V-Bar patrons watching the England game, with the possibly one of the larger guffaws coming at Vision’s expense. A very cheap shot about BNOCs … (okay, I’m biased!)

Aside from the occasional comedic misstep – I don’t think anyone enjoyed seeing Hercules “humping” his mother – I can hardly fault the enthusiasm and passion that’s clearly been put into the play. Go see it if you have the chance.