Reviews

The Great Baldini – Oct 2023


 
A Mystery Tour that was genuinely Magical – The Great Baldini visits Polruan
By Vicky Halls


I was intrigued when I saw the advertisement for an opportunity to see The Great Baldini perform at the Village Hall, organised by the Polruan Theatre Club. I am a great fan of magic on the screen but, after a traumatic experience of audience participation with Paul Daniels, I have since been wary of face-to-face performances. I am so pleased however that I was persuaded to give live magic another go!


As soon as we entered the Hall, we were greeted by The Great Baldini himself, a larger-than-life character with a smiling face, the garb of a circus ringmaster and a very firm handshake. As I went to my seat, I found myself checking my pockets and jewellery – all present and correct but he already had me under his spell. After some informal table magic the first set began.


Each set was a version of his 2022 and 2023 Edinburgh Fringe shows, the first one giving the audience glimpses of extraordinary magic to illustrate the story of the influence his grandfather had on his magic career, starting with his first illusions at the age of three. The second set was a journey to solve the mystery attached to a character called Lafayette, taking us through Europe, via puzzles, tricks and mysteries, including the performance of a challenging Knight’s Tour around a chessboard.


The stories were exciting and compelling, with The Great Baldini’s booming voice and ability to speak eloquently at speed, but the most enthralling part of the show was undoubtedly the magic! Every single piece of magic was mind boggling, from card tricks, through mind reading and escapology, to impossible knots in rope. For me the highlight had to be the incredible rapport between The Great Baldini and his audience, with plenty of hilarious ad libs and lots of pretence that tricks were going badly wrong, only to find they worked all along.


Credit must go to Henry Rowe, who, when called upon to assist in a mind-reading trick, managed to ignore all the subtle nudges from The Great Baldini with rebellious aplomb, prompting a whisper in his ear from the showman, saying “This is MY show”. It was so slickly done, with The Great Baldini convincing us all (incorrectly of course) that Henry was spoiling his trick, that it looked like it was planned and part of his act. I must also mention Mark Pope, who was asked up on stage to play the role of the newly discovered Lafayette. His performance, in a trick involving eggs, was hilarious, from his brilliant Deep South accent (required for the role) to his finale of downing a raw egg with a theatrical flourish! This I would point out even surprised The Great Baldini.


What an amazing evening, if anyone who wasn’t lucky enough to be there on the night has a chance in the future to see The Great Baldini in action, you will not be disappointed.



Puss in Boots 2025

Polruan Pantomime 2025
from Kevin Francis

Tony Cottrell’s new production of Puss in Boots kept the audience purring along happily for the whole show.

In a full house on Saturday evening, people had clearly come out to enjoy themselves. This created an enthusiastic atmosphere which brought out the best in the whole cast. In proper Pantomime tradition there was a good rapport between the cast and the audience with most actors pausing to allow for laughs when they occurred or smoothing over the rare glitch with aplomb.

A cleverly designed and artistically painted set was fully appreciated by the audience with murmurs of delight at each scene change. The perspective for the palace in particular was very impressive.

Lighting and sound were creative and the pyrotechnics effective and accurately timed.

Makeup was by a welcome new talented artist, Peyton Fullwood.

The traditional plot, as explained by Tony in the programme, was supported by a witty script incorporating some well-chosen songs, with sympathetic accompaniment by Lorraine Forsdick.

The Characters

The Wizard Egotrix.
This was the first major part for Phil Carrigan and he carried it off convincingly. He also lent his considerable musical experience and support to all the singers.

Dick / Igor
Jamie Wilcock was as enthusiastic as ever, delivering not one but two parts in the show. There was a good contrast between the two characters and his songs came over with gusto and lively actions.

Tom
In 2023 Thomas Bawden was spotted as “someone to watch as a rising star”. He has definitely gone on to grow in confidence and ability every year delivering a mature performance opposite Princess Prunella. He showed considerable maturity in presenting the bouquets after the curtain.
Cheryl, the lawyer / Araminta, the maid
This was the first appearance of Hannah Dellor in a Polruan Pantomime and the first of two parts in the same show. She has lively facial expressions and acquitted herself admirably in both parts, a welcome addition to the cast.

The Cat
Mark Pope played the cat with feline flair. A good voice and actions. A clever talking cat and we could clearly see the cream on his whiskers.

Dame Hilda Boot
As a dame, Andrew Kelly is slowly morphing into Les Dawson! (S)he delivered a difficult song with commendable clarity.

Princess Prunella
Shannon Williams was a charming princess. Her excitement and enthusiasm to see Tom in the buff (offstage!) was very convincing and amusing.

The King
A strong performance by Henry Rowe who delivered the not quite so Regal King, jilted by his Queen and dominated by his charming daughter, with aplomb

The Ogre, Grimgore
Johathan Rashleigh played the Ogre with his customary panache. He was rather a nice Ogre really and it was difficult to see him as “worse than all the baddest things you can think of”.

Thanks must go to the backstage and front of house teams who ensured that everything ran smoothly.

All in all, a thoroughly enjoyable evening and it is to be hoped that Tony will be inspired again next year as will the cast and crew.

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