PANTOMIME: Because two Dames are always better than one

This year's Kennett Amateur Theatrical Society pantomime represented the height of silliness -- which means, of course, that it was a completely delightful evening.
"Comedy of Errors and Pirates," written and directed by Chris Ramsey, was KATS's 14th annual production but the first to feature TWO dames. Yes, believe it or not, the producers located another local man, in addition to Kirk Fetters, willing to don indescribably over-the-top women's clothing and wigs. Both Kirk and Mike Ferry totally rocked their roles as the Widows Twanky. I loved the rainbow-striped socks and workboots they both wore (I was going to say "matching," but that word is wholly inappropriate in this context), the flouncy tulle petticoat that Kirk jettisoned during one scene ("It was coming off anyway") as well as the Unionville Community Fair "Best of Show" ribbon that adorned one of Kirk's wigs.
When the Dames sashayed out into the audience at one point, their eyes fell on an audience member named Dave. He got ample attention from both as they tried to arrange a rendezvous with him "after the show."
Part of the fun of the Panto is the audience participation, like booing the bad guys and singing the "silly song." The family next to us was new to the tradition, but within just a few scenes the two kids were hollering at the fiendish, plotting privateers and giving them a vigorous thumb's down. Speaking of the privateers, during intermission we were peacefully chatting and enjoying refreshments in the cafeteria when they descended out of nowhere, wielding their swords, and ordered us back into the auditorium. The nerve!
There is always a Children's Chorus in the Panto, and this year the kids played sneaky, scruffy-looking pickpockets. They were simply too adorable to boo at. I'm always captivated by the little ones whose energy knows no bounds and who don't appear to have a shy bone in their body.
The plot of the Panto was ridiculously convoluted, as always, and involved two twin brothers named Antipholus (played by Beth Holladay and Hadley Ramsey), raised by two twin sisters (the Twankeys), who were separated at an early age. You can imagine the mix-ups that ensue when the Jersey Antipholus/Twankey duo show up in New Castle, home of the New Castle Antipholus and Twankey, but all is resolved in the final scene. As it always is.
We loved the show, and thank everyone who was involved in putting on this wonderful production!