A HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU ALL!

Editorial – Short Rations

Phoebe Rees Review

Cinderella Review

What’s On in January/February

More Reviews

Bulletin Board

JANUARY 2012 Charity No: 1084863

In the early days of Spotlight I used Editorial to get other people to write the Editorial occasionally, and it was my Fellowship Committee proud boast at the end of the 2001 Short Rations drama year, when I had my first

Chair David Jenkins 01278 786501 [email protected] break from editing and handed over I am rather embarrassed that the reins to Ken Edmonds, that 64 Vice-chair Di Dean 01458 250852 [email protected] different people had contributed this issue of Spotlight comes articles and reviews for publication in Secretary Pat Sollis 01823 490750 [email protected] out at a measley 12 pages, but I that year alone – and that didn’t Treasurer Monica Nicholls 01458 272023 [email protected] fear that it is a sign of the times… include letters! th Spotlight Philip de Glanville 01373 451680 [email protected] It is the 90 , and the shortest, issue It is my own fault of course. It is an I have been responsible for editing Membership Sherry Briggs 01458 273476 [email protected] enormous delight to me when stuff since Spotlight first started its life does come in, unbidden, but with Presentations Di Dean 01458 250852 [email protected] with the introductory pilot version rare exceptions (and last month’s Originals Jane Edwards 01823 322440 [email protected] in September 1998. Does anyone article on Setbuilding from John still remember that? Patterson was a notable and very County Drama Philip de Glanville 01373 451680 [email protected] It had 16 pages, and was packed full welcome one) people only write for Training Vacancy of features: In Committee (in which Spotlight because I have asked them the idea of running a separate to. Phoebe Rees Anna Bowerman 01460 57857 [email protected] competition for musicals was first That sounds easy enough, and I have Cinderella Sam Nicol 01278 765912 [email protected] mooted!), the results of the county- to say that very few people over the wide Drama Questionnaire sent out years have refused outright, but it David Beach Sandra Pittwood 01460 67481 [email protected] earlier that year, Technical Jottings does require a lot of energy to keep Youth Vacancy on Lighting from Richard Harris, asking, month after month, and I How to Write a One Act Play from suppose - going into my 5th year of Adrienne Howell, In Production editing this time – that I am getting Area Representatives from Wells Operatic who were tired. I can’t really see myself doing entering the BT Biennial with Tudor this very much longer, especially Mendip Philip de Glanville 07980 010997 [email protected] Gates’ Ladies Who Lunch, all the since the stats are so discouraging. Phoebe Rees Nominations for that Sedgemoor David Jenkins 01278 786501 [email protected] year, and Reviews: MATA’s Cabaret The numbers of people who visit the website are holding pretty well – they Sth Somerset (W) Polly Bray 01460 63503 [email protected] from Gordon Neagle, Roadwater’s Cold Comfort Farm from Anna have averaged 750-1000 a month this Sth Somerset (E) Vacancy past year, but the number actually Bowerman, and my own review of downloading the current issue of Taunton Deane Ron Roberts 01458 241374 [email protected] Street Theatre’s Stepping Out. Spotlight fell to 75 in December – an West Somerset Chris de Vere Hunt 01643862584 [email protected] In addition there was a Prize Draw all-time low. I fear that its days as the

into which the first 200 subscribers organ of the SFD are numbered, and

would be entered, and an advert for that the website itself is now almost a Training Evening on Lighting and Deadline for SPOTLIGHT: 21st of preceding month certainly the best way to get Fantasy Make Up at West Huntspill, information out to all amateur thesps tickets £2.50 on the door! in Somerset. What do you think? 2 3 PdeG

Cheveley) and turning the tables on her. members in amongst us occasionally. The A very ambitious choice for a village- script provided good one-liners for the Phoebe based drama group, you might think, but Cinderella Brokers’ Men, a clever physical slapstick of Tickenham, though new to the SFD, the goose caught, plucked and stuffed and have years of experience behind them inventive send-up in the moon-landed, “one Rees and have clearly earned very strong Trophy giant goosestep” speech. Strangely though, support from their local audience, who neither set-piece nor running gags. packed their lovely village hall on the Disaster had threatened when the Fairy Queen night we went. withdrew on Dress Rehearsal day. To the Review Reviews rescue came Charlotte Legg with clear- One of TDG’s great strengths in this voiced, well-phrased delivery and a charming Tickenham Drama Group particular production was in their set They’re back! Ron Roberts smile that filled the hall. In close support was An Ideal Husband design. Peter Hanson had made the has been hard at work, one of the youngest Linkmen ever, Jack very most of the small but nicely by Oscar Wilde Broughton belying his fifteen years with proportioned stage, creating three very reporting on each and every Friday 25th November confidence, good timing and comic acting. believable and well-appointed settings entry into the Cinderella Adjudicator: Philip de Glanville Future appearances as a Linkman – by clever use of drapes and infills and Trophy Competition again this guaranteed! Sharon Corbett switched from trellis, and some very nice furniture. This play is not one I have ever seen year, for which we are last year’s genteel Fairy to this year’s robust before, and I would guess is not often Another strength was in the costuming, enormously grateful. Here is Dame, equipped with both singing voice and performed. It is very wordy, at least in particularly of the ladies; their different the first clutch… attitude. Opposing the forces of good and the first two acts, and larded of course gowns for every scene were gorgeous, reprising last year’s roles were German- with the witty epigrams for which Oscar and were worn so well – the benefit of Quantock Players voiced Villain and Brokers’ Men. Jenny Wilde is so famous. Undoubtedly he having every one of them made in- Mother Goose Waddington’s powerful Jabberwock was all was poking fun at the idle rich society house by Pat Sims… an amazing by Jim Sperrink positive gestures and strong facial expressions, the kids cringed joyfully! Getting ‘types’ in his own circle, and I would undertaking; a real labour of love! And Saturday 3rd December think mockingly based the character of they were all beautifully accessorised in her way were Catchem and Skinnem, Craig the dilettante Lord Goring on his own with plenty of hats, bonnets and The starting panto of the Season and so, this Marshall and Mike Onions bouncing off each view of himself. fascinators (all designed to minimise year, to Nether Stowey with their history of other in both senses. Something of a stroll for shadowing on faces) and tiaras and fans friendly Front of House staff and their them, this script, though Craig embellished The main plot, once you get to it, with good ad libs. Part of their ‘team’ was revolves around an attempt to and elbow gloves, and a lot of very guaranteed village support. In our way was Mad Max the Inventor, Roy Osborne looking blackmail the apparently upstanding sparkly jewellery. Bridgwater of a Saturday lunchtime, so we and behaving scatty. Loved that hair! The bastion of society Sir Robert Chiltern Director Lou Beale had gone to town set off early and, to our surprise, sailed script gave Principal Boy Knave of Hearts (Andrew Francis), the ‘ideal husband’ with the ‘look’ of the production, and her through unhindered. We were parked at the little to do, so Bonnie Duncan settled for of the title, whose doting wife (Margaret cast carried off the broader comedy very Village |Hall and enjoying a coffee cake at looking the part and reacting suitably to Hobbs) has no idea that his rise to well I thought, but Wilde’s hallmark wit the pub next door by half-an-hour before Principal Girl Jill. Not for Georgie Youe the power, riches and influence was fuelled was missing from some of the leading curtain up. ‘winsome’ version but the ‘clever and by a bit of ‘insider-trading’ in a former performances – they needed more frothy This script and music selection is certainly attractive’ alternative portrayal, a feisty life. Sir Robert turns his life-long friend pace and ‘archness’, but also a clearer different. Not only does the Goose fly to the modern girl that sought to make things Lord Goring (Bob Beale) for help, and grounding in reality to be convincing. moon but also the cow – remind you of a happen. Supernatural support came from Greg the latter proves to be a great deal nursery rhyme? – and all the principals too. Excellent examples of the type of Wellbourne as the Man in the Moon, for more loyal, and astute, than his effete Directors Mary Roberts and Sharon Corbett performance required came from someone scripted as “don’t really exist” he bachelor persona would suggest, delivered a faithful version of the story, amongst the supporting cast – Linda had good cue-bite and was word-perfect, an cleverly trapping the blackmailer (Julie grouped the cast well on that postage-stamp Roberts as Lady Markby and Mike example to many an adult actor. Janet Phillips Bisacre as the manipulative Lady stage and involved us by bringing cast Parish as Phipps in particular. PdeG 4 5 WHAT’S ON IN JANUARY/FEBRUARY

December 30th–Jan 7th January 24th-28th January 27th-Feb 4th February 5th–13th ROBIN HOOD & THE BABES IN THE SLEEPING BEAUTY JACK & THE MARTOCK BEANSTALK by Peter Long & Keith Rawnsley WOOD by Alan P Frayn by Kevin Robinson Minehead Panto People by Peter Denyer Burnham District Panto Society Martock Players & Soc Regal Theatre, Minehead at 7.30pm Wellington Pantomime Group Princess Theatre, Burnham at 7 pm Martock Parish Hall at 7.30pm Matinees at 2.30pm The Wellesley Theatre at 7.30 pm Matinees 28th/29th at 3.30 pm Weekend matinees at 2.30pm th King Edwin & Queen Henrietta welcome Saturday matinees at 10am and 2.30 pm A traditional fun-packed pantomaniacal Martock’s 30 panto! Boy swaps cow for you to the Kingdom of Ellandar to celebrate Fun-packed and suitable for all the family; tale, full of colour, song, dance, comedy, bean, beanstalk grows, boy climbs to Giant’s the birth of their lovely daughter Princess come and join us for a warm-hearted romp to tragedy and love, where the age-old battle castle. Sub-plot: girl enters forest, ruins bears’ Beauty. Come on a journey of Good & Evil, banish those winter blues! between good and evil continues… picnic. Everyone lives happily ever after? Love & Romance, Magic & Spells. Directed by Emma Vicarage Directed by Lorna Blair & Wendy Wynn Wait and see! Directed by Graeme Kelly Directed by Auriol Terrell BOX OFFICE: 08449 979000 BOX OFFICE: 01278 782783 BOX OFFICE: 01643 706430 BOX OFFICE : 01935 829204 Cinderella Trophy entry Cinderella Trophy entry Cinderella Trophy entry Cinderella Trophy entry January 25th-28th February 1st–4th January 15th-21st February 7th–11th SLEEPING BEAUTY DRACULA THE PANTO th CINDERELLA SINBAD THE SAILOR - His 8 Voyage by Alan P Frayn by Jim Sperinck by Alan P Frayn by Alan P Frayn CUDOS Godney Amateur Dramatic Society Wayfarers Pantomime Society Godney Village Hall at 7.30pm Cloverleaf Productions Victoria Hall, Crewkerne at 7.30pm Combe St Nicholas Village Hall at 7.30pm The Brewhouse - times vary Saturday matinee at 2.30pm th Saturday matinee at 2.30pm Saturday at 2.30pm and 6.30pm The Wayfarer’s 50 Gala Production, which Join in the fun as Dracula attempts to catch This traditional panto has all the Come and join Sinbad in a race against time promises to be an evening of colour, magic himself a wife with a hirsute butler, requirements necessary to please the eye and to retrieve the Persian Pearl of Peace and save and comedy – expect plenty of singing and bumbling cohorts and things that go bump gladden the heart of any audience, with toe Prince Said from the executioner. in the night against the Dame, family and dancing, and lots of fun! tapping numbers and lots of laughs. Directed by Ros Roderigo friends. Directed by Brian Epps Directed by Wendy Elliot BOX OFFICE : 01460 62739 Directed by Kim de Vries BOX OFFICE: 01823 283244 BOX OFFICE: 01460 74380 BOX OFFICE : 07502 047195 Cinderella Trophy entry Cinderella Trophy entry Cinderella Trophy entry www.gadssomerset.org.uk February 13th–18th January 23rd-28th SFD Concessions February 2nd-4th THE OLD WOMAN WHO LIVED IN A IN PRAISE OF LOVE January 26th-28th SHOE by Terence Rattigan DICK WHITTINGTON & HIS CAT by Ben Crocker by Norman Robbins Swan Theatre Company by Tina & Robert Butbidge Coastline Players Swan Theatre, Yeovil at 7.45 pm Porlock Pantomime and Drama Soc Clevedon Comedy Club Porlock Village Hall at 7.30 pm Brean Village Hall at 7.30pm Sebastian and Lydia Crutwell have Saturday matinee 2pm Princes Hall, Clevedon at 7.30 pm Saturday matinee at 2.30 pm endured a 20 year marriage of cold hearts Matinee on Saturday 28th at 2.30 pm Dame Diptheria’s orphanage is replaced when and restrained emotions. Now they are Is Dick going to be driven from London and it is crushed by a Giant’s shoe, but when the Now, for the first time in CCC’s 40 year lose his beloved Alice through the evil deeds facing Lydia’s recently diagnosed terminal history, we bring you Little Red Riding Giant reclaims his shoe, and the Princess illness. Each believes the other doesn’t of King Rat? Not if he has courage… and a inside it, our Heroes set out on their Hood… nursery rhyme characters, slapstick, cat like Tommy. know, and is determined to keep it that novelty songs, the lot! adventure… way. Is there any mutual feeling to be re- Directed by Patrick Daley Directed by Carole Hockedy Directed by Anne Allen discovered? BOX OFFICE: 01643 862337 BOX OFFICE: 01275 875235 BOX OFFICE : 01278 780034 Directed by Robert Graydon Cinderella Trophy entry Cinderella Trophy entry Cinderella Trophy entry BOX OFFICE: 01935 462781 SFD Concessions Phoebe Rees entry 6 7 had a great, jerky waddle as Ermyntrude spooks appearing out of the night and a Bloxham, Anna Brothwood, Lucinda with straight face and beautifully rhymed the Goose, attended by Lucy Ingram as the swinging version of ‘Cabaret’ as Scrooge’s Cauchois, Lucy Cockings, Leila Gear, couplets. Linkman Chris Marshall as Tom dead-pan goose-girl Gertrude. Pamela Ley funeral anthem! Dark humour – or what? Emma Kirk, Isabell Maddren and Chris Cobbler and Dame Nigel Brayne as his Old was believably penniless as the Old Great fun. Kirk. The turkey-fetching paperboy was Mother both were very positive about Woman Who Lived In a Shoe. Brad Scott Scrooge as a villain? No doubt in Martin Tom McKenzie, cheekiness squared and ensuring that nobody in the hall slept! We and Molly Fielder-Scott were Buttercup, Sumpter’s firm grip on his cane and the lippy with it, collecting the bird in both were involved! Clary Passmore as Principal the docile cow. Rosie Horn, Caitlin Webb, story. Great humbug. Smelly socks in senses from butcher Charles Maddern. Elise Boy Jack Cobbler was instantly struck all of a Harvey Wilkinson and Harry Young were sandwiches came from factory cook Jam Gear was a charity worker and Tim Johnson do-dah on sighting Jacqueline Heard as Lady villagers dressed as Nursery rhymes, ably Butty, Adrian Youings’ Dame with distinct was the plot-collecting Charles Dickens. Eleanor. ‘He’ with clear speech and led by Hannah Ebsary as Little Bo Peep. delivery and comically mobile body parts. innumerable, cracking thigh-slaps, she The Fox King dancers added a colourful ‘She’ had idiotic kitchen assistants Dough Roadwater Players vamping sweetly with a twinkle in her eye junior element. and Nut, Linda Brierley and Juliet Maddern visible from the back row! Her Maid Jane had an infectious smile and, being Brenda Village support guaranteed indeed! Most of bouncing off each other in both senses and Original script by Katherine Mandziej, a clear voice and fluttering the village children seemed to be with us you wouldn’t want to eat anything prepared Kingsford eyelashes that left Billy Cobbler all confused. that afternoon and most of them ended up by these! The Cratchit family supplied the Wednesday 14th December Tickle Daly was the said Silly Billy, a deputy on stage for the House Number. They “ahhh!” factor, much-put-upon Jonathan Sardines and mince pies were the dominant, linkman with a good singing voice and comic enjoyed performing and their reward Drew as dad, Jennie Rusinek as a mum with pleasurable images as we drove the forty or body language. Also in attendance to Eleanor sweets. We enjoyed a free run through very finite views about our villain! Sisters so miles to Roadwater. The village hall gets was Dave Cox as a very languid, parental Bridgwater on the way home. Two Katy and Susan were Olivia Morrell and packed ‘like sardines’ given the weight of Lord Throckmorton who drifted vaguely enjoyments started the Season. Becca Youings, respectively clear voiced and demure and Tom Youings’ piping voice support and reputation of the Players and through proceedings in that cod-upper-class captured our hearts completely as Tiny Tim. one gets a mince pie and a cuppa delivered way. Hindering him were footmen Spit and The Trull Players to your seat during the interval. Polish, Rob Hand and Hamish Allan as the Scrooge – A Christmas Carol The Scrooge family tree included Fred, the calmly well-intentioned nephew played by Director Allan Prentice had a home-grown lively, energetic Brokers Men getting it all by Limelight Scripts Leo Martin-Scott and wife Elizabeth, script to work with, not only created with wrong. Up against the goodness element was Thursday 9th December Charmian Roberts as an amiable do-gooder. specific Players in mind but witty with it and Simon Passmore as Bob Corvus, the Ravenmaster, a likeable villain of Whenever we think of Trull panto, the Supernaturals were ‘led’ by Mick Clark as with every staple ingredient of pantomime in considerable stage presence serving Benedict phrase ‘out of darkness into the light’ the hair-raising ghost of Jacob Marley, an place. We started with youngsters through Lintott the Ogre, a fearsome grotesque with a comes to mind. Driving through the apparition that was terrifying and comic in the auditorium at speed and, close to the booming voice. Their permanent prisoner was occasional pools of lamplight, the village turns. Then the other Ghosts. Christmas Past end, had deliberate chaos in the House word-perfect Anna Beaven as Fairy Hyacinth, always seems longer than one remembers by Rachel Curry purveying sour truths with Number! In between, we had seen Puss lift aping the cat with an attitude! Other parts it. Then to thread down narrow Church sweet reason. Belle was one of the truths, its tail for better mobile reception, a were played by Richard Beaven, Janet Grieve Road and know that a blaze of pantomime Emily Brothwood tugged at our heartstrings transformation scene of ogre to lion to a and Jacqueline Heard as mobile porcelain lights and warm hearts await. as the jilted lover. Christmas Present by mouse that was eaten by Puss! The cat was swinging Chessie Flack, telling it ‘as it is’, ill! A youngster with a handkerchief gag statues; Janet Grieve again, Jennifer Hand, Director Ryszard Rusinek bravely took on con brio. Then came the ‘heavy mob’, Phaedra Rush and Janet Tindall as a velvet- a difficult task: a script with no Principal kept running around – get it? Finally, not Stephen Martin-Scott as the Head Spook, robed backing group; Darcey Allen as Elf Boy or Girl, no Linkman and was required one romantic couple but two and a four- looking like a wonderfully bulky, white- Leader; Lily Heard as the Warning Elf; and a to make a fun panto out of that. He was up hand Duet to boot – no pun intended. clad, white-faced escapee from the Adams crop of six youngsters appearing variously as for it and produced a light and dark Puss was punchy! Anne Scullard was a cat Family! He also doubled as the black- townsfolk, ravens, trees, etc.. Callum Hughes production. Light included bloomers with attitude, moved ‘with cat-like tread’ draped, doubled-up, eerily silent Christmas was the Running Gag. thrown on from the wings, mice hanging even when singing with cat-vowels, a Future. The ten mini-spooks were the The stage had been extended forward and, as off the cellar pipes, Dickens finding a plot character-‘plus’ puss. Setting the scene with versatile junior chorus who also delighted us a result, we sardines were packed even closer for ‘Scrooge’ and the biggest turkey ever our feline heroine was Fairy Petunia, Gill as schoolchildren and townsfolk: Lara together than usual. Nobody complained! The seen. Ah! But then we also had masked White as kind of ethereal Greek Chorus 8 9 mince pie was warm and as delicious as quintessential hero with soft thigh-slap and a ever. Happy, well fed and well entertained nice line in sending up the Sheriff. Roberta we drove the 40-odd miles home. Bass was a heroine to match him, it needed a BULLETIN BOARD nicely judged and compelling performance Wells Little Theatre to merit ‘his’ love. Their good voices Robin Hood produced a harmonious Romantic Duet One. Original script by Vicky Orman Robin’s gang had Nick Barlow as Will Scarlett, a linkman with guitar, a confident Wednesday 14th December actor and a physical comedian. Friar Tuck There is always a frisson setting out to see was played by Len Sweales as a camp a pantomime performed to an original ‘luvvie’ in a very warm portrayal. Pauline script. Will it have all the necessary, basic Perrin was Alana Dale, tall and looking COSTUME SALE ingredients? Will it also be witty? Wells every inch a loyal merry ‘man’. Last gang have something of a reputation for good, member and certainly not least was Little original work. We were agog! On the other Motiv8 will be selling off John, 12-year-old Ben Wall, the smallest hand, we also hoped to avoid another, ever but filling the stage space as a hundreds of costumes (lots of sets personal tradition – getting lost in that comedian-with-attitude and wielding a nifty from carnival entries and shows) – maze of one-way streets! wooden staff taller than himself. Keeping us ideal for carnival clubs /panto/ Director Tina Eyers had a laugh-out-loud chuckling was Mark Wall playing Nursie Nancy with beguiling warmth, a great school productions: script to work with and didn’t miss any of its tricks. It was full of the unexpected like singing voice and witty ad-libs. Gerald Eyers st the Fairy’s wand doubling as a trumpet or was the Alan-Rickman-look-alike Sheriff, SATURDAY 21 JANUARY who attacked the audience on first Red Riding Hood being Robin’s sister or Birchfield Hall, Yeovil shadow play on stage for both the werewolf appearance, rejoiced in being evil and transition scene and the hero/villain sword- revelled in precise, comedy timing. 2pm -4pm Frustrating him and delighting us were fight – which went on whilst they both appeared SR and SL to mop brow and have Brokers Men Guy and Gal of Guisbourne, www.motiv8cc.weebly.com Ashley Watson and Emma James were truly a drink! – and like Robin’s trial, scored as a mock opera. Crowds chanted, groups were funny, very energetic and provided a active onstage without upstaging the action, credible backing group for the Sheriff’s rap four tinies were given their spot and a number! Red Riding Hood was Poppy group of five ‘Poor’ were hilariously McCarthy with stage presence and punching well above the weight of her given lines. directed to largely silent, precisely co- ordinated, comic timing. Given the high Another joy on stage was Jeanne Clogg’s Evilynn, a witch whose body language and standard, it was a shame to find Romantic Next month’s SPOTLIGHT ON THE WEB: Duet Two ending in an embrace, oh! tut, timing of lines was pure comedy: she looked Tina! The choreography throughout was smelly from well back in the auditorium! ALL ARTICLES/REVIEWS/LETTERS AND STUFF FOR Richard Wright’s King looked regal and stunning, particularly that of the Junior THE BULLETIN BOARD TO BE SENT IN GOOD TIME Groups. spoke royally even behind bars. Of the eight Junior dancers and twenty-five others on FOR COPY DEADLINE – SATURDAY 21st JANUARY Long live the King! No doubts about the stage I have space simply to say “wow, they royalist loyalty of Fairy Britannia in her Email: [email protected] did well”. Union-Jack-fronted bodice. A bright, vox We were right to happily anticipate: it was pop voice this one, with an easy delivery. original, it was inventive, it was great fun. The eponymous Robin was Kate Lynch, a 10 RR 11