Robin Crusoe, Wall Heath Pantomime Company
Reviewed 23rd November 2025
4/5
A pantomime full of treasure!
Wall Heath pantomime Company was formed following a joke in the local pub a few years ago and they have come a long way since that initial idea. This year they have taken the brave decision to perform a title that is rarely seen these days, but it was a decision that paid off.
Written by seasoned entertainer Krystian Wharton (who also played Private Short), and based on a script he originally wrote with his father a few years ago, it was nicely updated for a modern audience but still had the classic elements including pirates, shipwrecks, buried treasure, and a talking parrot which was played with real gusto by Nathan Wood.
The panto zipped along and kept the audience entertained from start to finish, with plenty of audience participation and lots of laughs. The panto wasn’t short on effects either, including a simple but extremely effective UV scene following the shipwreck, which had sea creatures dancing and singing along. I really wish more pantomimes made use of UV scenes!
There were some great performances too, with Andy Vaughn as Mrs Crusoe and Ade Woolfenden as Captain Blackbeard particularly standing out. While Andy may have taken a while to get going, once he did he had everyone in stitches, and Ade was suitably terrifying. Joshua Hawkins as King Netptune gave a great rendition of ‘You’ll Be Back’ from Hamilton, which is not an easy song to sing, but he certainly did it justice.
Michelle Preston, who this year played Will Atkins, should be very proud of the company she has created, and I can’t wait to see what they do with Jack and the Beanstalk next year!