Delightful pantomime keeps the Talisman audience engaged.

Robinson Crusoe

Performed at The Talisman Theatre on Tuesday, 23 December (until 3rd January, 2026).

This version of Robinson Crusoe had all the right ingredients for a pantomime – the Crusoe family in financial straits, the wicked money lender who was going to make them homeless, and the adventure to find treasure and a love story to boot.

The Talisman are fortunate to have strength in depth of both actors and crew to put on this excellent telling of Robinson Crusoe as a pantomime.

Ben Ionoff as Mrs Crusoe showed his versatility with a complete transformation from his previous role in A Monster Calls. As the Dame, he brought the right level of self aggrandisement and Carry On innuendo to entertain this full house.

Mrs Crusoe’s two sons, Robinson (Harry Bowser) and Bill (Jack Ives) filled different roles. Robinson was the adventurer, but enamoured with Susie (Phoebe Dann).

Harry and Phoebe sang delightful duets as they conveyed their characters’ romance.Billy was the main character to engage with the audience, but he was assisted by his pet rat, Roland, a hand puppet fluently operated by Ellie Chapman.

Billy interpreted Roland’s whisperings, and director Gill Halford used this clever and novel technique to move the plot along apace. In this role Jack showed how he has moved on impressively in a few short years from the Talisman’s youth theatre.

Lauren McCann garnered growing cheers as the play progressed in the role of the good fairy Brittania, with humorous asides and gestures.

Her Nemesis was Sam Harris as the villainous Davina Jones, keeper of the – yes – Davina Jones’s locker, who drew sailors to their doom, suitably untrustworthy with a Cockney accent.

There was a second villain, Montgomery Moneybags (James Harris), uncle of Susie, to give the audience plenty to boo about, especially when he and Davina were on stage together, plotting against the Crusoes.

The dancers were clearly well rehearsed and choreographer Sally Jolliffe’s routines, combining both a junior and adult ensemble, fitted perfectly with Ben Kelly’s musical arrangements and the story as it progressed.

The Talisman’s telling of Robinson Crusoe had refreshing differences from many pantomimes. Comments as the audience left were all positive which is a compliment to the quality of The Talisman productions whether for pantomimes or serious dramas.