COWDENBEATH Community Theatre presented their latest pantomime, Red Riding Hood, to packed audiences at the Lochgelly Centre from 3rd to 6th December and it proved a big hit, writes Kerry Black.

Due to the generosity of Exxon Mobil, the Wednesday and Thursday evening shows were filled with local senior citizens who enjoyed the re-telling of the classic tale.

Under the production team of Suzanne Stewart (musical director), Harry Wood (producer/director) and Melissa Davidson (choreographer), the audiences were treated to the usual mix of comedy, villainy and mayhem that Cowdenbeath Community Theatre is famed for.

Gary Gibb returned as the dame, playing the outrageous Granny Knott.

With his perfect comic timing, mega eyelashes and an amazing array of costumes, including a Maltesers frock, his rendition of ‘I Am What I Am’ brought the house down!

Every panto needs a villain and there is none more wicked than Squire Bullymore (Kevin Keir), aided and abetted by Miss Hyde (Melissa Davidson) and Miss Seekum ( Jasmine Lowe), not forgetting the Big Bad Wolf (Gary Duncan).

Audiences were delighted to have Alex Keatings back on stage as the main comedy (Patches) with Stacy Ramsey as Pinny.

With Aimee Stuart as Little Red Riding Hood and the lovely Lynsey Combe as principal boy, Peter the woodcutter, Stacy Donaldson as Miss Took and Kitty Graham as the Kind Fairy, the principals were given great support by their lively chorus counterparts including several local children.

Cowdenbeath Community Theatre have come a long way from their first pantomime, Cinderella, in 2001 which was performed in Cowdenbeath Co-op Hall.

Every panto thrives on audience participation and Lochgelly area audiences are never shy, booing, hissing and cheering all night long!

Next year’s show will be Mother Goose.