Pantostein

The Actors' Co-Operative Theatre of Southampton Freemantle United Reformed Church, Shirley Road

This entertaining show, directed by Jonathan Lightfoot from a TLC Creative script (which credits four writers, no less), includes comic skits from Jenni Connelly, Mary Hamilton and Jim Crisp, and lots of popular songs from a game cast and ensemble, accompanied by Musical Director Howard Corbett's five piece band, which takes almost as much ribbing as the audience from the feisty Dame Bloodengutz (Michael Porter, whose choreography ensures there is plenty of dancing along with the singing).

While Boris (Edward Hauschild) and Bertha (Zoe Denya) fall for each other as they pursue the evil Dracula (Daniel Knight), Dr Frank N Stein (Steven Hunter) has a nice thing going with Bloodengutz' daughter Ophelia (Holly Searle), whose mum prefers his Monster (Steve Evemy).

Deborah Fulher-Corner and Rachael Filden skilfully enact Zombies, while Wardrobe Mistress Julia Forster also provides a vivid Werewolf (Christopher Brooks) and enhances Lizzie Harden's delightful performance as Igor.

Ham Quentin