Granny Get Your Gun

If there was a World Record for most dad jokes and bad puns in a theatrical work, Granny Get Your Gun would hold the title, and the youth cast performing this punny little pantomime-like play were having a ball with the jokes - even if some of them seemed to pass over some of their heads. Well led, and given solid theatrical technique by director Carole Dhu, this young team are a delight to watch.

Granny Get Your Gun is a send-up of the wild west genre, including its almost namesake ‘Annie Get Your Gun’ and is filled with theatrical western tropes including a good-hearted saloon owner, an incurably romantic barmaid, bumbling outlaws, a crooked lawyer, likeable sheriff, pretty saloon girls and “injuns” galore.

Costumed beautifully, the large cast performed with simple set pieces, allowing the young talent to shine.

Miss Lotty, the Granny of the title, was solidly played by Lauren Daniels, who formed a lovely relationship with adopted granddaughter Marion, played by Paige Boardman, a sweet romantic lead. Unlikely hero, Luke Warm, an unstable stable boy was played with good humour by Steven Jones, while Maria Collett made the most of the soubrette role - a lovely Anna, the barmaid.

Holly Creelman was an audience favourite, and very funny as Daisybelle, the cow, with Adam McWhinnie shining as mystery man - The Spaghetti Kid (and pulling a nice double as Medicine Man - White Cloud). Liam McCormick was impressive as lawman - Sheriff Omar - love the way he is always acting, especially when not part of the direct action.

This show has some great villains. Sarah Edmonstone played lawyer Silas P. Slimey and was nicely supported by the competently incompetent Lucy Fortune as Short, and Riley Jones (in perhaps obvious casting) as Curly - including a lovely section where these actresses had a Victor-Victoria moment.

Lovely work from the team of “Injuns”, led by Running Nose (Alex Pestrucci - with great timing), and great focus from Marnie Kelly, Jackson Hiller, Summer Verdon, Ella-Rose Tuttlebee and Liam McCormack, and the citizens of Hope Springs including saloon regulars Alex Pestrucci (again) and Flynn Creelman, and dancers Anna Marias, Annabelle Paxton-Cooper and Amelie Marias. A hardworking ensemble, including 5 making stage debuts, complete the cast.

Primadonna Productions are always a great example of good teamwork, solid stagecraft and a warm atmosphere. Granny Get Your Gun was a pleasure to watch.

Kimberley Shaw