Our fifth annual trip to the Octagon for their panto was a bit different this year. Hasn’t everything been a little different this year?


But the pared down cast still managed to deliver on the laughs, with returning baddie Thom Ford vanquished by some stockpiled loo roll, a fabulous routine involving pharmacy items and the hilarious Gordon Cooper returning to spread some Christmas joy.

The Octagon has had the toughest year of it – closed since March, and even now unable to make much in the way of funding given audiences have to be spaced out.

Even panto had to be slimmed down and changed, with no booing and shouting – instead we clapped and drummed our feet.
The slimmed down cast of five, however, made it their earnest mission to entertain, with a quip-a-minute gagfest especially written for the Octagon, to replace what was meant to be Dick Whittington (now scheduled for 2021).
Thom’s Texas-born wife Kathryn Nash returned as Fairy Moonshot, a rapping fairy determined to retrieve the Spirit of Panto and save the day.

Evelyn Hoskins played Jill, returning to the Yeovil stage she last performed on in 2005.
Best of all, the familiar Jack Glanville returned to provide regular panto-goers with a bit of slapstick silliness and normality. I love the dynamic between him and gravelly- voiced Gordon, who, as always, licked through the gags with split-second timing.

Evelyn Hoskins

Yes, it’s not the same this year. It’s a good bit shorter than usual as they haven’t been able to draw on their usual cast of dancers and extras. But it’s still an excellent show and thoroughly enjoyable. It’s a bit of Christmas covid hasn’t managed to ruin. Make sure you wear your steel toe caps and make as much noise as you can – these actors truly deserve it.

Nurse Nellie Saves Panto was on until January 3.

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