Dirty Old Folkers at The Hare & Hounds Dec. 23rd
This was the final curtain for the DOF Panto 2013. The 3rd night and an audience of 200 awaited. The bands take on government, energy oligarchs and the long suffering public, but more of that later.
They opened with there usual show the generosity of Cameron’s ‘Big Society’, the Blair war on terrorism. This was interspersed with seasonal spirituals like ‘Rudolph’, ‘Santa Claus’, ‘All I Want For Xmas’ and ‘Deck The Halls’ etc. taken from their rewritten song sheet, audience participation being compulsory, egged on by front man Stuart with additional vocals from Matt. The whole show is hilariously entertaining and anarchic as ever, Pussy Cat, ably performed by Hannah, dropping comfortably? Into the feline lead as she purred through the song, wonderfully risqué and funny. The DOF show comes with a public warning label, not suitable for children, as indeed the Panto was for an 18+ audience.
In summary it was the tale of a poor council tenant Mother Goose (Mike), hit by the bedroom tax, and the hike in energy prices by an all powerful oily baron. ‘She’ still takes pity on a scrawny goose (llias), who has an uncontrollable bowel, dropping evidence everywhere. This happens to be a ‘golden’ goose of course, as the deposits left make a super efficient, long burning, green? Fuel. Enough to supply the whole neighbourhood and seriously damage the Oilygarchs (Stuart) profits. The WWF is also well supported by Oily, insomuch as he shoots 3 pet panda’s (Panda) a month during tantrums, hence generating the need for more panda mating. He looses his temper, the panda gets it. Death, (Death) the omnipresent skeletal companion, is appalled, but helpless in the face of such commercial power. The side stories are a ‘gay’ relationship with a foot in both ‘camps’ (Hannah), and ruthless extreme right wing journalist (Clive). All put together in the style of a politically incorrect ‘Acorn Antiques’. Panda 3 takes revenge and the goose, you will be pleased to hear, does not suffer constipation, so provides for all; a nice happy Christmas ending. The band found time to change and return to stage for a final set.
A brilliantly entertaining, unmissable evening of chaotic fun, Oh no it wasn’t, Oh yes it was! No doubt it will sell out for 2014.
Words & Photos By Graham Munn