THE pantomime season is with us again and up and down the country drama groups are presenting the usual stories, so well known that it must be difficult to come up with something different.

Thame Players stuck to the age old tradition and staged Babes in the Wood.

Steve Lambell played The Sheriff of Nottingham enthusiastically with Penny Wilkes as a delightful Maid Marion whose love interest as Julie Egleton as Robin Hood.

John Poole as Demon Catbane was so convincing that a young member of the audience burst into tears when he appeared but June Garland as a Scottish fairy in tartan tights was there to see that good triumphed over evil. Darren Topping was excellent as Muddles who finally marries Polly portrayed by Katie El, and the dame was played by Tony Long. The two robbers, John Townsend and Andrew Clamp provided the other comic element. There were two sets of babes performing on different evenings and it would be unfair to single out just two, also there were two teams of chorus and villagers.

The singing was melodious and the scenery by Robert Duncan was skilful. I felt that the pace was slower than past pantos and not always geared to the smaller children who at times were restless, however the show livened up towards the end and the audience were appreciative of the enthusiasm portrayed by the cast.

Rita Carpenter