BMDS Pantomime City Hall Theatre Until December 11 Sadly, "limp'' seems to be the best single word to sum up this year's Christmas pantomime, "Red Riding Hood''.

While I wouldn't argue against those who claimed it was mildly entertaining, it was scarcely anything more.

There were some aspects that are well worth commendation and recognition and I'll get But it is worth noting that while "the panto'' is a British tradition, with distinctly British characteristics, this year's production went too far in that direction and will have left many local members of the audience at sea.

There is some humour that is lost on anyone else and of greater concern, there is a general attitude permeating the play which I feel is certain to lead to strong divisiveness.

While a little satire can be laughed at and dismissed, an early joke describing the evil villain in the piece, Madame Live as "worse than Dame Lois Brown Evans'', surprised this reviewer outright. While I pride myself on being tough-skinned and wouldn't consider myself a fan of the Dame, I'll admit I found the line offensive.

Now to the good stuff.

Debbie Raat as Madame Live outclassed by far the rest of the cast. In fact director Val Fitzpatrick would have done well to use someone else because her performance was so strong that it left this reviewer expecting more from everyone else.

A rousing songstress as well, Ms Raat better than anyone else was able to captivate the audience.

Richard Klesnicks deserves praise for enchanting set designs that in most scenes proved more interesting than the actual action on the set and costume designer Martin Hatfield really succeeded in creating some of the most interesting and appropriate costuming.

In fact the combination proved so realistic to the four-year-old who accompanied me that I was forced to remove him from the auditorium whenever the scary wolf or villain appeared.

The efforts of these two men were truly complementary and I look forward to seeing their future collaborations.

Special effects are always a feature of the Christmas pantomime and are carried out so expertly that they may sometimes be taken for granted -- but not by this reviewer. Congratulations are definitely in order for Bob Duffy who managed to get fireworks to erupt on centre stage this year.

The bright light on granny's moped handlebars was another ingenious and effective touch.

I thought the chorus of Red Riding Hood was particularly weak this year. After opening the play with a rap sequence where the words were inaudible and the dance choreography lame, they never really got any better.

An angelic voice and sound performance were given by Rhiannon Moore in the lead as Red Riding Hood. She personified the innocent, sweet and loving granddaughter.

Lyn Tavares in her pink dress and her squeaky voice as Ms Kneez, together with Swiss highlander Mrs. Hanz, proved to be the most entertaining and interesting characters in the entire piece.

Good performances were also rendered by Kelvin Hastings-Smith as Grannie and Markus Staebler as the theatre director and the wolf.

The Spirit of the Forest, Marisa Hall was a much better singer than actress and Steve Gallant as Billy was just plain weak.

The Christmas pantomime, Red Riding Hood, runs through to December 11 at City Hall and the curtain rises at 7.30 nightly.

Cathy Stovell Angelic: Rhiannon Moore as Littel Red Riding Hood Set up: Richard Klesnicks' (above) sets were enchanting and complemented Martin Hatfield's constmes.

THEATRE THR