Tobermory’s pantomime The Adventures of Robinson Crusoe was brought to life by first time director Andi Stevens. Oh no it wasn’t!…Oh yes it was!

The new director managed to get the best from a strong cast including a number of panto veterans and encouragingly, a group of young performers displaying a wit beyond their years.

One member of the audience said: ‘It is wonderful that Tobermory can put on a show like this.

‘It was a laugh a minute and the young cast showed everybody that there will be more vintage performances for years to come.

‘I hope this talented cast take confidence from this performance and put on more shows throughout the year.

Celebration

‘Events like this brings small communities together in celebration of what is great about this time of year.

‘Congratulations to Andi Stevens on her directorial debut. She really pulled off a stunning show.’

The score, used in the production, was from lots of different generations including Acker Bilk, Noel Coward and of course, panto favourite, The Village People.

It is said that some islanders, especially those who played Mrs and Billy Crusoe, stretched their vocal chords a long way beyond the call of duty.

There was much to enjoy in the performances including youngsters Lewis MacLeod and Dexter Govan playing the deadpan comedy duo Flotsam and Jetsam, a mermaid, played by Elizabeth MacIver, being winched on stage in a fishing net – beating the flying Mary Poppins in Edinburgh Playhouse any day.

All the backdrops and colourful costumes were created by local residents. The brightly coloured props helped transport the audience from Tobermory Bay across the seas to Crusoe’s desert island to witness the battle with the notorious pirate Blackbeard.

But the most memorable feature of the performance may be one that most people may choose to forget. That is the partial striptease performed by Robinson Crusoe, Blackbeard the Pirate and Captain Cuttlefish – which really brought the house down.

A representative for the panto company said: ‘Crusoe was many weeks in rehearsal and it showed in the quality of the entertainment on offer in Tobermory.

‘The show has closed now, but it will not be forgotten.’ In more ways that one, if that strip is anything to go by!

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