Review: The Adventures of Pirate Blue and the Panto-Loons

031013bf5 The Adventures of Pirate Blue and the Panto-Loons. Darlene Mohekey (who played ``everyone else''), Jess Sayer (Princess Peabrain) and Mia Oudes (Penelope Pixie) entertain children and adu

If you're at a loss to know what to do with the children these school holidays, Rotorua is showing a world-class pantomime that's a must-see.

The Adventures of Pirate Blue and the Panto-Loons is currently on at the Blue Baths.
Written by the show stealer, Darlene Mohekey, the pantomime takes children and adults through an entertaining one-and-a-half hours of song, dance and jokes.

The six-person cast were fabulous from start to finish. The minute the Fairy Godmother (Caleb Jago-Ward) appeared on the stage singing his version of I Feel Good we knew we were in for a professional show.

Mohekey had the crowd in hysterics every time she appeared on stage (as a different character). She even gave her impersonation of Helen Clark, the character she became famous for playing since appearing on TV series Facelift. My personal favourite from yesterday's show was her performing as Michael Jackson.

Princess Peabrain (Jess Sayer), who was my nearly 3-year-old daughter's personal favourite, was another standout, creating many a chuckle with her ditzy lines and thick Kiwiana accent.

The sound in the second half was much better (bit softer on the young ears) and for only the second show, the cues for lights and music was pretty spot on. If there were any fluffs in their extensive lines, we were none the wiser.

Children don't usually sit still for so long, so it was impressive to see them so attentive.

While most children attending the show were older toddlers and primary school-aged kids, my daughter thoroughly enjoyed herself and is still talking about the princess being captured by the pirates and the man wearing lipstick.

Older members of the audience will also enjoy picking up on the adult-only jokes interspersed within the show.

This cast comes to Rotorua from all over New Zealand and Australia and it's a real treat for us to have it here.

At only $15 a ticket (one free adult with each child), it's well worth adding this to your school holiday must-do list. The next shows are Sunday at 2pm and Monday to Friday next week at 11am.