The original story line already guarantees the time tested elements of fairy tale drama: wondrous princess-in-a tower, roving prince and jealous witch. In the Bennetts version we are offered the extra bounty of poncy tuba-playing butler, destitute father (Rapunzel’s) and some clever puppets, most notably the witch’s pet wolf.

Dan Bain directs a well paced fifty minutes with scenes punctuated by fast blackouts, which seem fresh again after a good spell out of favour. Certainly the young audience was captivated and responsive, a sure sign that the creative team and cast are on the right track for a successful alternative to holiday doldrums.

The set of Calendar Girls (David Thornley),currently playing as the main bill, transforms neatly to a tower with handy knot holes in the walls, so that Rapunzel’s wondrous hair is not pulled off every time she has a visitor, though the illusion of climbing it is still maintained. This focal feature and the long green ramp of a hillside nearby provide a functioning space for the chases, discoveries and rapid escapes which hold much of the excitement of the developing tale.

The fairy tale look is well sustained by Bronwyn Corbet’s costumes, which give the actors a head start. Thus the Bennetts Rapunzel, played by a colourful and tuneful Julia Guthrey, is a vivid, feisty young thing, albeit in princess get-up. She uses her locks most inventively to aid and secure her true love, the loveable, lute plucking dope, Prince Fresh, a versatile Hamish Parkinson, who doubles as Father.

The cast trio is completed by Kathleen Burns in fine form as Witch and Butler. The puppets, I think, are to the credit of Helen Beswick, responsible for props. They too contribute to an entertaining, fast moving fifty minutes.

Plenty of colour, zest and surprises are essential aspects of popular holiday theatre and this production uses them effectively to bring the original big-hair favourite to life. 

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