Robinson Crusoe by the Cubbington Players, Cubbington village hall. On until February 1. Box office: 428858.

In the best tradition of village pantomime, the Cubbington Players gave their all in an adaptation of Robinson Crusoe.

The plot is simple: our hero is washed ashore on the island of Kleptomania, ruled over by the fiendish overlord Doomsday, exuberantly played by James Suther. Robinson has in his possession two magic stones: if Domesday can get them he will be able to do anything. But can he get them?

Sam Kneeshaw plays a fine and dandy Crusoe, who wins the heart of the delightful Friday (Rebecca Warner). Hannah Fordham is charming as the hapless Fairy Nuff, acolyte to Fairy Good (Kathy Deeth). Pitted against them are Doomsday’s naughty crew: the old sea dog Captain Cuthroat (John Staton) and his ever-so-eager sidekick Swashbuckle (Lewis Papworth). Then there’s buxom Widow Washday (Janice Wingrove) and fairy sprites, Saturday (Bronwyn Hawkins) and Sunday (Kate West), and the gloomy Rainyday (Alex Hawkins). Caught in the middle is the hapless military duo Major Jump (Tim Hurrell) and Corporal Punishment (Ruth Hawkins). Ruth has a real gift for comedy and she lifts the show to its highest peaks. Finally, there is the irrepressible Mildred (Chris Squire), who cranks up the surrealism by bringing in all the classic pantomime roles you’ve ever heard of and never thought to see on a desert island.

First night nerves, a few fluffed lines and some gaping plot holes did nothing to diminish the punning fun of the show. It’s all silly stuff, and the local audience loved it.

Nick Le Mesurier