Once upon a time, in a land not so far away, two community reviewers set sail along the waterways of Pembrokeshire towards the Haven of Milford. The salty, tangy breeze blew them along, drawn by the warm glow of the Torch Theatre, towards a certain lighthouse. Fairytales can be imagined here, storybook adventures in magical waves lapping the coastline and ending in a series of knotted and hair-raising high jinks. 

That buzz of excitement has now reached full pitch and volume! Could it be Queen Bee(hive), Dame Belinda, and her team of worker bees?

There must be something in the water... anchors aweigh! Let's get aboard for a beautiful sea cruise around the Pembrokeshire coast, with all the glowing colours of the rainbow reflected in the ocean. The sets and costumes Kevin Jenkins has created have come to life! Nothing spared, no rock has been left unturned! The boat- straight out of Wacky Racers' Anthill Mob fame- has docked before setting off on its charted course. Bobbing along the waves (like a well-cut hairstyle, you might say). Maybe you'll even notice a small tug at your heartstrings too, if you're feeling a bit sentimental- 'cos seagoing vessels can have that effect! In next to no time, we're travelling between a beautifully appointed and swish hair salon- before being hurtled deep into the sea, submerged fathoms below the surface. 

Colours pop, enriched with reflections of golds and greens and pinks and party celebration birthdays. We even get to gaze at lilacs and glimpse royal purples, too.

Chelsey Gillard, Torch Artistic Director, has excelled herself with her latest production. The script is buzzing with the humming sound of a swarm of jokes flying in thick and fast, bubbling to overflow ( much like Periwinkle the Sea Sprite) and bursting with the energy of rapid-fire humour.

This enchanting adventure promises to let down its hair in style. Expect waves of laughter, strands of silliness, and enough traditional panto fare for audiences to be comb-pletely over-comb with mirth!

This production will surely weave its way into everyone’s hearts, one strand at a time.

Welcome to the well-loved Rapunzel story, with its very own (French)twists, turns and coils! Local and topical references aplenty add to the hive of activity and fun.

Here we have the tried-and-true story- with good and bad, right and wrong in an eternal tussle and struggle. We're suspended in time, dangled and held by the silken strength of a single, hair-breadth strand to eagerly await the best, happily-ever-after ending. Two decades of hidden misdeeds and wrongdoing have to be finely tooth-combed and raked over here! 

The cast of characters have truly (ship)shaped up, bounding into life, to comb-pletely captivate and enthral us. We become truly convinced of their story in the most enchanting manner. The latter owes much to the excellent casting- there is great camaraderie and chemistry shared between the whole cast and we the audience get to fully enjoy and share in it all! The marvellous use by all cast members of the whole theatre space really enables this- the audience arena, the stairs and steps, the stage (and even an unexpected surprise entrance area) are all utilised to maximum fun effect... the world's their oyster!

Let's first meet with the lovely Rapunzel, played by Holly Mayhew, a heroine worth rooting for! She sports her flowing, abundant tresses, beautifully decorated with accessories from the sea, coiled in powerful lengths as far as the ground below her gilded lighthouse tower. What is the secret deeply hidden within her weaved braids? What is the special significance and properties of the seaweed? Does Rapunzel have some special family connection with gorgeously coiffed hair?

Prince Nathaniel of Neyland, portrayed by Harry Lynn, is now officially confirmed as Pembrokeshire's very own Prince- no comparison is even possible with any other Prince of Wales throughout history. No competition- Prince Nathaniel of Neyland is the one to root for. Right to his washed, cut and blow-dried, wind-swept waved fringe- naturally. Yes, accomplished and polished- with even a gleamingly sparkling (Colgate ring of confidence) smile, featuring its own crystal-tinkling sound effect! Prince Nathaniel (or Prince Natty, you might say) of Neyland endearingly shows that he is making every heroic effort to be equal to the task, in spite of some understandable and all-too-human impulses to turn around and flee at times.

Zephyr the Puffin is played by Freya Dare. The very epitome of a most delightful, perky feathered friend- always on hand, ready and wig-gling in the wings.  Flying in especially from Skomer, she's her own charter pilot- and always has her friend, Rapunzel, in her bird's eye view and under her wing.

Now we can meet Piri Piri-Winkle- woe betide you who make this error, by the way! Expect a spicy, peppery response from Periwinkle the Sea Sprite if you haplessly tread into these waters. Eifion Ap Cadno plays Periwinkle the Sea Sprite, embodying, with every shimmering hue, the mysterious, subterranean depths from which he has emerged. He arrives buffeted by the winds and waves of the ocean- but effervescent and bubbling with enthusiasm for his quest ahead, stalwart despite hardships and mistakes of the past. 

Demanding to be introduced next is "Step"-Mother Gothel, played dramatically and with great relish by Jess Dyas. Mother Gothel embraces all the darkness and villainy her role suggests... she well earns every single boo and hiss that comes her way! Mother Gothel continues to tress-pass into domains where she does not rightfully belong- indeed has no business at all! What is the strange power of medicine that comes from the deep? How is it that Mother Gothel is able to materialise in the way that she does? Be sure that her means are foul - not fair! 

Now for the grand entrance... announcing...  Dame Belinda Beehive, portrayed by Lloyd Grayshon. Bedecked and bejewelled, bedazzling with glitzy bling- beautifully accessorised and colour coordinated in such subtle hues as neon pink, fluorescent orange and gorgeous retro-diving helmet headwear in bronze, daring hemlines and frills and flounces. Dame Belinda Beehive has somehow managed to even outshine the sun's rays reflected upon the sea. She has also debuted her Marilyn Monroe moment! Her charms and her glamour simply know no bounds. Despite her irresistible attractions and constant attention from every red-blooded male within her radius- Dame Belinda Beehive actually does have her very own touching, poignant "Love Story". It's simply heart- wrenching. She has hidden depths- and nurses family secrets deep within her ample bosom.

The Sea Monster is revealed. She makes her debut, as designed by Freyja, in all her "Aquantis" glory!! She shimmers and shimmies her way into view, striking and effective in slithering and slimy, long tentacled fashion- with very big shark teeth.

Monster friends have arrived to accompany her, they make a special appearance and big shout out to the voices provided in grand chorus by the Torch Youth Theatre group members, directed by Torch Theatre Senior Manager, Youth and Community, Tim Howe, and Artistic Director, Chelsey Gillard. Great Barrier Reef, eat your heart out- here come Milford Haven (Round Table) Reef creature companions to the main feature, Aquantis! Seems that some special homespun talents reside in the Torch Theatre environs- talents responsible for the bringing of these Reef companions into being from the designs submitted by pupils of local schools. Artistic Directors have a big remit! 

Special mention for the member of the box office team who has meticulously styled and crafted the volumes and volumes of customised, glamorous hair accessories for our dearly loved Torch Teddy bear to wear.

The musical score by James Williams is superb! It is such a privilege to have original music composed especially for the Torch pantomime. The numbers brought the whole production to life all over again, just as did the costumes, sets, props, lighting and special effects. The music, in combination with the scenes and sets, gave rise to some great set pieces and double acts- including the fabulous Bay Wash pop/ rock group in the making- featuring the vocal talents, phantom guitar and drum playing skills of Prince Nathaniel of Neyland and Dame Belinda Beehive. The music score featured showstopping numbers- with everything from poignant, wistful ballad to sea shanty to edgy rock sound in the mix.

Go on - get yourself in a lather! Head over to Bay Wash for an appointent - to view!