High jinks on the Troupe’s high seas

But there’s one last blast of the festive season currently taking place at Mansfield Palace Theatre.

Oh yes there is . . .

That’s because the Mansfield Hospital’s Theatre Troupe has taken to the high seas to present it’s own slapstick version of Robinson Crusoe.

And once again, the cast of local ‘am dram’ enthusiasts rose to the occasion to provide a performance to inject warmth on a cold, winter’s day.

Now celebrating its 35th anniversary, the troupe has long provided laughs-a-plenty for theatregoers as well as raising thousands of pounds for good causes across the area.

This year’s production is directed by troupe stalwart Trevor Morley, who must take credit for a panto packed with rib-tickling humour which proved a hit with an audience varying in age.

Morley himself had the audience in stitches with a cameo appearance shortly before the interval where he and Trevor Brownley producd an hilarious two-minute Swan Lake spoof.

I’m not quite sure what link it had to the panto, but that didn’t matter. It did its job and was well received.

Brownley is superb as as Mrs Crusoe, with his saucy one-liners and colourful costumes proving a hit - while Chris Evans was a hit with the youngsters as Kenny Crusoe.

Rachel Best adds a touch of glamour as Robinson Crusoe, with Amy Wood and June Morley a successful double act as Bill the Bosun and Ben the Mate. Special mention must also go to the senior and junior dancers from the Happy Feet Dance Studio - with the juniors definitely providing an ‘ah factor’.