As usual Ottery Community Theatre put their unique stamp on pantomime with their production of Franky Styne in Pantoland – oh yes they did!

Directed by Carol Jobling and written by Laurie Palmer, who certainly has a way with words, the story followed the adventures of Franky, the hero, as he pursued his dream to marry Princess Candysnap.

After an amusing 'front-of-house' announcement  the story unfolded with all the expected pantomime  business but perhaps not always in the expected order!

The curtains opened to a stunning set showing a laboratory in the depths of Baron Badlot’s castle where he was creating a monster to enable him to take over the kingdom, and marry his son Hector to the Princess , who of course  had other ideas! Captured by the 'baddies' she was taken to the castle in the hope that a transfusion of royal blood would make the monster more aggressive!  Needless to say she was rescued by Franky, his mother Phyllis Styne, and the  Royal Courtiers, all disguised as monks, and everything ended happily ever after!

John Waddington made a decidedly creepy Baron, bravely sporting some magnificent leather trousers, very much in the shadow of Ceri Warland as his domineering wife. Claire Phaby and Tamsin Harvey were suitably regal as the King and Queen and Amy Housden played a rebellious Princess.

James Meilton made an endearing Monster, complete with red nail varnish, Laurie Palmer added gravitas as Jeeves the lab technician, and Kay Crook and Ivan Reed were great fun as Hu Flung Dung and Hu Sed Dat. Paul Gibbons ably fitted into the Dame’s frocks and Chelle Walsh made a determined Franky.

Jill Machin and Ed Lamb performed magnificently as the Courtiers, forever squabbling about 'who said what', and  Amber Waddington and May Puckey played Hector and the Friar.

There were plenty of songs all accompanied in inimitable style by a delightful quartet led by Musical Director Paul Bridgeman. A bevy of ghostly ghouls and lively village children completed the cast for what was a great Monster Mash, very warmly received by the first night audience – oh yes it was!