Keeping the comedy alive was what it was all about on the opening night of the pantomime Robinson Crusoe.

It was a triumphant return to one of the classics of the pantomime genre for the Bermuda Music and Dramatic Society, which last performed John Morley?s version of the classic children?s tale in 1978.

While the panto version bears little resemblance to the original story by Daniel Defoe, its fast-paced action and comedy kept the audience enthralled as the plot swept the playyers from London Docks to the mysterious island of Umumello.

On the whole it was a laugh a minute, there was huge audience participation, lots of discreet jokes for the adults, boos and screams, candies and lots of colour for the children.

The artistic director was Jo Shane, the musical director was Richard Davidson, choreographed by JoAnna Powell, and it was produced by Julie Hastings-Smith.

Kelvin Hastings-Smith, as Robinson?s mother (Chrissie Crusoe) was, as always, a laugh with all his eclectic outfits, sparkly red shoes and handbag.

Captain Blackpatch (Paul Maccoy) was simply naughty in his role. My favourite was when he did his hocus pocus incantations and stunned Robinson Crusoe (Nicole Burgess) and Tabitha Tucker (Sophie Pearson) before sending them to the bottom of the sea.

His partner in crime, privateer Jack Boot (Steve Watts) was equally nasty in the search for the hidden treasure.

The Island Queen (Jeane Butterfield) was great in her role as the very human hungry cannibal.

Ms Burgess showed great promise as a comic actress in the title role while Miss Pearson (Tabitha Tucker), Robinson?s girlfriend, was also great in her part.

However, both Ms Burgess and Ms Pearson lacked natural singing talents, although they tried incredibly hard.

The best song was sung just by a male teenager who sang Under the Sea before intermission.

Robinson?s brother, Kenny Crusoe, (Dan Dorrington), Captain Tucker (Cotty Outerbridge), Barnacle Bill (Shawn Angiers), Ben Dover (Peter Havlicek), Man Friday (Grant Spurling), Old Jim (Stuart Doyle) Fairy Detergenta (Nancy Smith), and Lord Nelson (Stuart Doyle) all deserve mention.

The chorus of the S3 and S4 CedarBridge Academy dancers were fantastic and they showed lots of talent in their many moves. Ms Powell was also great as the snake dancer at The Ruined Temple of the Sacred Snake.

The Children?s Chorus was great as Demon Oyslick?s (Connie Dey) entourage as they slipped and slid across the ocean.

The set, which was designed by Elmer Midgett and the backdrops, which were painted by Michelle Pasquin, were the picture of any famous children?s picture book.

The set alone, which featured The Mary Rose, the jungle, the Island, the Ruined Temple of the Sacred Snake and others were worth the price of admission.

The wardrobes of the pirates, chorus, Robinson Crusoe, Mrs. Chrissie Crusoe, Tabitha Tucker and the natives were all excellently executed.

Robinson?s final outfit was naval and it worked from many viewpoints. This is not to say that the rest of his wardrobe wasn?t great ? it was just that the final one was my favourite.

The musicians were also superb at they played many favourites like I Do Like to Be Beside the Seaside, Fame, Under the Sea and Chapel of Love to name a few.

All in all it was a great night for everyone, children and adults alike.

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