Heroes, heroines and halfwits in church panto

Young and old(er), clergy and congregation left the comfort of the pews to tread the boards in a polished pantomime.

The unique take on the age-old story of Robin Hood - a Tale of Heroes, Heroines and Halfwits was staged in front of 150-strong audiences at the Parish Hall on Church Street on December 14 and 15.

The cast list was dominated by some of the town's young people, and they showed that Cromer's got talent, with some excellent performances.

Among the stars of the show were Charlotte Richmond (Robin Hood, leader of The Good), Josh Duckmanton (The Sheriff of Sheringham, leader of The Bad) and associate minister Paul Neale (sole representative of The Ugly, Maid Marian).

There were also some amusing cameos from vicar The Rev David Court, curate The Rev David Frederick and youth minister Ed Land. The three cast off any Anglican stuffiness to play the Village People.

Retirede vicar Roger Billings was hilarious as Friar Sausage, while there was a guest appearance from Noel Edmonds (Tim Morton).

As you might expect with an am-dram show, there was the odd slip and hitch. But Ryan Pugh's sharp script was full of excellent visual and verbal gags, and the cast did a fine job.

There was even space for the odd topical Tesco joke, and some other sly digs at Sheringham, which sent the Cromer-dominated audience home happy.

For information, The Good beat The Bad, The Ugly got married and wicked King John turned from the error of his ways.

Oh yes, he did.

STEVE DOWNES