Rumpelstiltskin

Waikato Times Review
What: Rumpelstiltskin
When: Saturday and Sunday, Feb 21-22, and Sunday, March 1, 11am and 1.30pm
Where: Perfume Garden
Cost: free
Reviewed by: Matt Richens
Fairytales are best served in the Shrek format; high on laughs, basic humour for the kids and sneaky on adult innuendo.
And, since most of us know the original fairytales inside and out, although tradition remains important performances have to offer that something extra because the standard will appear mundane.
Pocket Pantos' production of Rumpelstiltskin found the perfect balance.
The storyline of writer Michael Switzer's version was different enough to keep the 300-plus crowd intrigued, yet close enough to the Brothers Grimm version to still be a classic.
Milly, (Melissa Lowe) the miller's daughter, is forced to turn straw into gold after Tabby Hack, the TV presenter - told you it was different - cons King Heribert into thinking she can.
With the help of a scatterbrain Rumpy - well played by Graeme Cairns - Milly turns the straw into gold, but is forced to do it three times before convincing the King (Briar Duggan) that Hack is a con and she should marry the King.
Hamilton City Council's communication manager Sarah Bettle was, not for the first time a Summer Festival drawcard, although questions could be raised about why Bettle, who deals with the media in her council role, has such a negative view of journalists after making the Fourth Estate look awful.
But seriously, Bettle's hack reporter impersonation was impressive. She sounded like an angry Kim out of the Australian sitcom, Kath and Kim, and played the villain with aplomb.
Rumpy isn't as mean as the Grimms' version, but is odd enough. If you didn't see the shows this weekend, take your kids, or steal someone else's, and get down there. Cheap at twice the price.

Presented by Pocket Pantos

Proudly supported by Waterford Birth Centre