The magazine of the Somerset Fellowship of Drama spotlight February 2014 Charity No. David Beach 1084863 Nominations Announced The David Beach nominations have been announced for productions 2013. This In this month’s Spotlight… has been a difficult year for the competition with a new moderator and coordinator and a The Transformation Scene and other photos from reduced adjudication team. Step forward Ian Moorlight’s are on Page 18 Hurdman, Di Dean and Ron Roberts who held it all together wonderfully, ably assisted by

Hillary May, Doug Craig and Mike Linham who all joined the adjudication team. Good old Ron even waited until the competition was over before breaking his leg.

So the team hightailed it to Ron’s Long Sutton home for the adjudication meeting when the nominations were agreed and the awards decided. Although the winners remain a closely guarded secret until the presentation evening, the societies have been notified of all their nominations and you can see them all in Spotlight on page 7. They are also on the SFD website. News 2 Village or Theatre? by Sam Allen 3 Random Memories by Upstager 4 New Columnist for Spotlight Is it ? by Sue Pomeroy 5 Crossword Answers 6 This month sees the start of a new The David Beach Nominations 7 series in Spotlight featuring the random What’s On 10 memories of an octogenarian spear-carrier! Reviews 12 Writing under the pseudonym Upstager, he will Letters 17 regale us with many of his antics in amateur Workshops 17 drama over the years. His first column is on Moorlight Magic 18 page 4. He will be joining our regular columnist Sue Pomeroy who this week tackles the thorny issue of defining a pantomime. Those of you Submissions for Spotlight welcome. To with long memories will recall letters on the [email protected] pages of this very publication touching on the By 21st of previous month please. same topic. Sue’s column is on page 5. All entries are welcome: letters, What’s On, The Editor’s column is on page 3. comment, articles, photos etc

1 Directors Wanted for Original Playwriting Competition on the Original Playwriting tab to download The Somerset Fellowship of Drama and read scripts. is urgently seeking directors for this year’s t is always an exciting challenge to direct shortlisted original one-act play entries to its I annual competition. These plays will be original work, and a privilege to work with the performed at the County Drama Festival, which authors, so if you feel you would like to take up takes place on 22nd and 23rd March at the the gauntlet, please get in touch with the Warehouse Theatre in Ilminster. The Original Playwriting competition organiser, shortlisted entries have all been posted on the Jane Edwards, by emailing Fellowship’s website, [email protected] or by calling www.somersetdrama.org.uk, so if you haven’t 01823 433474. already done so, please visit the site and click

Give us your Gongs! win an award last year should make sure they The David Beach Competition co- are returned cleaned and suitably engraved. It ordinator Di Dean has put out a plea to all last is a great privilege to win an award and it is a year’s award winners to make sure all the courtesy to the next recipients to ensure they trophies are returned in plenty of time for this are returned in good condition. If you’re not year’s presentation evening. At the very latest sure how to return the trophy please contact Di they should be returned by Friday 21st Dean on [email protected] or Pat February. Anyone who was lucky enough to Sollis on [email protected]

Committee Cuttings Festival to be held in Ilminster on the weekend Little to report from the SFD of 22nd/23rd March. committee meeting on 22nd January, I’m afraid. David Beach Competition It was a fairly routine meeting keeping an eye Final organisation is in hand for the David that everything is rolling along. The key points Beach Presentation evening, which is once are outlined below. again to be held at the County Cricket Ground Original Playwriting in Taunton, on 8th March. Jane Edwards reported that only one director Phoebe Rees has come forward to enter a play from the The Committee was disappointed that Alison original playwriting competition in the County Haines had still not received the trophy drama Festival. Ideally, three plays should be awarded to her at the Phoebe Rees evening. entered. She will continue to look for two more The Chairman and secretary had been trying to directors but time is running out. As Jane is retrieve the trophy to no avail. The secretary standing down after this year’s competition, was asked to pursue the matter. the committee is looking for a replacement to take on this important and interesting task. Cinderella Trophy County Drama Festival There have been a very healthy 29 entries in the Cinderella Trophy Competition this year. Philip de Glanville reported that there have been nine entries for the County Drama

2 Cinderella Trophy moderator Sam Allen Village or asks how we should decide whether or not a society is a village or a theatre.

equally, none is definitive. We can’t even Theatre? rely on the name. Octagon Theatre is, as we By Sam Allen have already established, undoubtedly a theatre, but Timsbury Theatre Group is, despite For many of its awards The Cinderella its name, a village! Trophy Competition divides its entries into two n recent years we have used the catchment categories: theatre and village. David Beach, I who for years was the driving force behind this population as the principal factor in competition, introduced two categories differentiating between the two. The because he realised that the villages could not watershed population is 7,000. So if your group hope to compete with the larger theatres in is in a village with a population of a couple of some areas. While a great principal boy or a thousand, you will be assessed as a village. If superb dame can wow us on any stage in any you are in a town of 25,000 souls, you are auditorium, it is hard for a small village with deemed to be a theatre. But while this has the only one stage entrance to compete with the benefit of simplicity, it is also fraught with huge stages and the accompanying facilities difficulties. For example, a society may be that some of the larger venues enjoy. So we based in a small village, but its membership don’t differentiate between any of the acting may be drawn in from five or six neighbouring awards but we do differentiate for Musical villages as well. And while another society is Accompaniment (the band!), Stage ostensibly in a town, it may only attract Management and design and, of course, there is membership from a small local area an award (the Spotlight Shield) for the best performing in a local community centre with a overall village production. Theatre groups are much larger group in the same town not eligible for this award but everyone is performing in the theatre. eligible for the top gong, the Cinderella Trophy And what about poor old Crewkerne? itself. In reality, theatres almost always win According to the 2001 census, it had a this award but it has been known for villages to population of 6,728. Village! For the purposes whisk it away from them on one or two notable of UK crime stats it is considered to have a occasions. population of 8,105. Theatre! According to So, with so much riding on it, it is important Wikipedia the population is exactly 7,000. Oh, that we ensure that competitors are placed in er, ah… bit of both. Neither! Either! Help! the appropriate category. This year we have Actually, according to the 2011 census the several new entries and we need to place them population of Crewkerne was 7,826. But the in one group or another for the purposes of point is this, the society, CUDOS, is essentially assessing them for awards. At the extremities, the same regardless of the size of the this is what those in the business world like to population varying by a couple of hundred call a no-brainer. Cloverleaf, performing in either way. They have the same hall, the same their tiny hall in the little village of Combe St facilities and essentially the same membership. Nicolas, is unquestionably a village. Equally So, what to do? clearly, YAPS’ performances in the Octagon Ultimately, as with so many things in life, it all Theatre in Yeovil are the very essence of a comes down to a matter of judgement. We will theatrical society. Again, a no-brainer. continue to use the catchment population as But while many groups fit easily into one the primary yardstick but in cases where there category or another, inevitably in the middle are other overriding issues such as those there are some societies for whom the decision outlined above, we will also consider facilities, is less clear-cut. How should we decide which auditorium size and any other relevant issue. category to place them in? Size of auditorium? Do you have a view? We would love to hear Stage facilities? Catchment area? It could be from you. argued that all of these are relevant but

3 In the start of a new series Upstager tells Random Memories of us about the highlights (and some of the lowlights) of his many years in amateur an Octogenarian Spear dramatics. As an octogenarian, he has Carrier plenty of interesting memories… By Upstager Open Air Shakespeare in Iran I cannot pretend that I have ever been anything more than the metaphorical On a happier note, during our time in Tehran I humble spear-carrier. Do not look to me for had the opportunity to take part in The British expert knowledge or outstanding achievement. Council’s annual Shakespearian productions. The one advantage that I have had has been the These were staged in The British Embassy’s lucky chance to have been able to pursue my Summer Compound, a wooded oasis on the hobby in a variety of interesting places and in lower slopes of the Elzburg mountain range. unusual circumstances. So I take this Regent’s Park eat your heart out! Imagine a opportunity, as suggested by the Editor, to venue some 7000 feet above sea level, where share some of these adventures with Spotlight June evening temperatures are a guaranteed 70 readers in a series of short articles. degrees with no rain expected until November Panto in Persia and no wind to drown out the actors’ voices; add to the mix an old fashioned English wood In 1959 I was appointed Headmaster of the with a rushing stream and high walls beyond British School Tehran, a school catering for the which there is nothing but parched desert children of British expats aged 5 – 13 plus a terrain and you have a perfect setting for the number of foreign children and including some Bard’s pastoral comedies. English speaking Iranians. The Shah’s niece daughter of Princess Shams, his younger sister, was a pupil at the school. I had joined The Little Theatre of Tehran and was Princess Shams and her husband cast for the part of The Dame, Widow Twankey, in their The British Embassy, Tehran, December 1961 Christmas Pantomime. As a treat for the children we took the entire school to see the I chased my lover through the woods as Toby Matinee – BIG MISTAKE! The next day my staff Belch in Twelfth Night and cursed Prospero as had the difficult task of explaining to their Caliban in The Tempest. The whole setting was foreign students, and indeed to a few seriously magical and for the amateur cast an worried Iranian parents, that it was quite unforgettable dramatic experience unlikely to normal for British Headmasters to dress up as be matched anywhere else in the world. women and make fools of themselves on stage Next Time at Christmas time! Oh well, you can’t win ‘em all! Stage disasters. We have all suffered from them – those desperate moments when we dry, For my closing number I sang the theme song the scenery collapses, the prop fails – incidents from My Fair Lady. I looked into the eyes of my which when we remember them in the small ludicrous swain, a crooked old Oil Baron, who hours still bring us out in a cold sweat. else? And crooned, “I’ve grown accustomed to Invariably the wretched audience applauds HIS face.” Shock! Horror! And gasps from the loudly and to add insult to injury assure us audience. Luckily this all happened before the afterwards that it was the most enjoyable part Mullahs took over so I avoided having my of the whole show. hands (or worse) chopped off. Upstager.

4 Is it Pantomime? Oh yes it is, oh no it isn’t By Sue Pomeroy Sue Pomeroy is a member of Bridgwater Amateur Operatic Society and author of the In the world of professional and biography of Brian Buttle: Adventures in the Playground. In her regular feature in Spotlight amateur musical theatre, December, January she turns her thoughts to all things theatrical. and February make up the pantomime season. This month she considers the world of pantomime Without wishing to state the obvious, and asks: what is the perfect recipe for success? pantomime is a genre of musical theatre unlike any other... no matter how hard some punning jokes, innuendo, slapstick... which companies try to make it into a full blown often takes the form of pastry and custard pies. musical comedy or others into a play with Water... lots of it on stage and over the music its still a type of pantomime. audience and wallpaper paste or other goo Tradition and history has played a large part making plenty of mess. in the evolution of the pantomime and in Then there are children on the stage, lots of Western culture dates back to classical theatre, sweets and a sing-along with the audience Pantomime has developed over thousands of whilst the company get into their ‘walk down’ years from the Greek and Roman ‘commedia costumes. dell arte’ and French theatre, into ‘good old British winter entertainment’. Its origins are So, where do I stand (or sit) when it comes to lost in the mist of time, like so many of our old pantomime? I have never been part of staging a traditions; how odd it all seems, but it works! pantomime either as cast or production team, so why then should I profess to have an o are there any set rules or can companies S opinion? My opinions come from having been make it up as they go along.... as some seem to a part of the audience professionally as a critic, do! and as a member of an audience for the sheer ‘A beautiful girl, played by a girl, meets a enjoyment of the entertainment. handsome man, also played by a girl, they fall in love and are helped by a young man, played by a I am writing ‘tongue in cheek’ about amateur man, who is in love with the girl but is willing to . I am not a lover of the modern sacrifice his happiness for hers. They are helped professional pantomime. They tend to use well by a loud brash woman, played by a man and an known performers from soap operas and evil baddie who tries to thwart the couple at popular music, put them in costume and expect every turn but a fairy character from ‘the them to be able to perform live theatre with village’ casts spells and works magic to put little or no experience. Perhaps I am everything right, and with the local people and generalising a little, but professional children they all sing and dance a lot. It all turns productions are usually about getting ‘star out well in the end and everyone lives happily names’, filling the theatre, and reaping the ever after’. financial rewards. Get the picture? We know the ending before it Amateur productions are usually performed starts; in fact we all know the whole story for the love of the genre...if they do make before it begins. money; good, but breaking even is a bonus There are basically only seven stories viewed these days. as ‘the set’, Jack and the Beanstalk, Aladdin, Dick Many pantomimes use professional scripts but Whittington, Robinson Crusoe, Mother Goose, what a difference there can be from the best to Babes in the Wood and of course the mother of the worst. Cost is most likely the reason why them all Cinderella. Over the past twenty years clubs find poor scripts tempting but, beware, other fairy tales and children’s stories have they can be dire... with poorly constructed been adapted into the genre with Peter Pan, story, inadequate characterisation, clunky , Pinocchio, Beauty and the Beast dialogue and few if any pantomime elements. and among them. Add in a few less experienced performers and There are certain elements within every you get ... Oh dear! pantomime that audiences expect to see. Weak

5 Well written scripts usually offer a convincing paying good money, you have a duty to story with amusing jokes good dialogue and entertain them. contain elements that an audience expects to see, additionally they are regularly updated THE BEST PANTOMIME RECIPE... and offer opportunities for the club to add Take an imaginative director, a good clean topical issues to give local relevance, even with script, colourful costumes, appropriate songs inexperienced performers you get.... ‘Wow and life and lightness in the music and you are factor’ ‘cooking on gas’. cripts written by friends or members are S Add in enthusiastic dance routines, an popular but you can usually tell the difference animated company, good principal performers, between amateur and professional writing... I plenty of laughter and ad libs plus a pinch of wouldn’t dream of commenting but would magic from a fairy. leave you to be the judge. The choice of music is often contentious, with Stir in good effects, slapstick, and sweets. many MD’s and directors leaning towards hit Mix all together for 3-4 months. parade favourites. But although the original Keep each act a respectable length and the pace might be great to dance to, many are extremely fast and you have a completed dish to which difficult to sing out of context as soloists and granny, the teenagers and the toddlers can be almost impossible for a large chorus. taken. Amateur performers get great enjoyment When cooked, serve to full houses, take performing pantomime. You can josh with the pleasure from high box office takings and see audience, laugh in inappropriate places and the contentment and satisfaction on the faces adlib all over the place. But, remember your of cast and audience. ENJOY! audience.... never have so much ’in house’ fun at the expense of the production... people are

The Spotlight New Year Crossword Answers Across: 1. Mousetrap; 8. Tape; 9. Rapturous; 10. Glee; 15. Down: 2 Opal; 3. Sets; 4. Throat; 5. Adults; 6. Balladeer; 7. Yogurt; 16. Spider; 17. Lineup; 19. Ardent; 20. Drama; 21. Celebrity; 11. Cyclorama; 12. Agonising; 13. Proud; 14. Rise; 24. Embrace; 25. Mini; 26. Stampedes. Opera; 18.Prompt; 19. Am Dram; 22. Acre; 23. Once

6 The David Beach Nominations in Full Names of the successful winners are a closely The results are in! guarded secret and will not be known until they New moderator Ian Hurdman and his team have are announced at the big event itself, the David assessed all this year’s entries in the David Beach Beach Presentation evening to be held at Somerset Competition and the nominations have been County Cricket Club on Saturday, 8th March. announced! The societies have already been All the results will be in the April edition of informed of their nominations and Facebook is Spotlight along photos of the big evening. In the alive with jubilant nominees letting the world meantime, all the nominations are listed below: know they are in the running for this year’s prizes!

BEST SOUND BEST SET

Dan Taylor Our House Bridgwater John Jasper & Geoff Oliver! Wellington Graeme Renson Anything Goes Tickenham Redstone Spectrum Spectrum Russ Scott & Kirsty Nick Hooper & Mark Fame Drama Fame Drama Davis Bennett Group Group Sunshine Clevedon Graeme Renson Avenue Q Craig Bennett Sweet Charity Productions LOC Les Miserables CLOC Young Graeme Renson Cy Boddy and Joe Musical (Schools Edition) Juniors Fame Rockett Theatre BEST CREATIVE LIGHTING Company Clevedon Sunshine Andy Hughes Me & My Girl Nick Hooper Avenue Q LOC Productions Rocky Monster Les Miserables CLOC Jim Woodley OASIS Gary Newman Show (Schools Edition) Juniors Peter Magor & Pete Hello Dolly WSM Tilke BEST COSTUMES NOT HIRED

Dave Sims Anything Goes Tickenham Cary Spectrum Thoroughly Amateur Lynn Saffer Pete Magor Fame Drama Modern Millie Theatrical Group Society Sunshine Tom Johnson Avenue Q Gail Chubb Honk Benham Productions 25th Annual Exit Stage Alison McCausland Spelling Bee Left BEST PROPS Thoroughly Jan Weaver & Angela Clevedon Beth Dyer CUDOS Me & My Girl Modern Millie Belcher LOC Winn Barrett & WSM Seussical Debbie Gould Hello Dolly WSM Karen Mills Oppitts Tony Edwards Our House Bridgwater Sunshine Debbie Gould Avenue Q BEST COSTUMES HIRED Productions Winn Barrett and Hello Dolly WSM Society Team Sweeney Todd Frome Team

BEST STAGE MANAGEMENT BEST YOUTH 16 and UNDER - Female Clevedon Jasmine Turner as Rocky Monster John Fox Me & My Girl OASIS LOC Rebecca Show Simon Coghlan- Jessica Mitchelmore Beauty and the Wells Anything Goes Tickenham Forbes as Belle Beast Juniors WSM Poppy Davidson as WSM Bob & Nilla Craddock Seussical Seussical Oppitts Mayzie Oppitts Young Young Musical Musical Joe Rockett Fame Bethy Reece as Lamb Fame Theatre Theatre Company Company Thoroughly Hannah Gabe as Ida Honk Benham Kerry Peters CUDOS Modern Millie Georgia Bird as Ugly Honk Benham

7 BEST YOUTH 16 and under Male Theatre

Rolando Charnock as Rocky Monster Company OASIS Igor Show Laura Grace Sunshine Spectrum Leadbetter as Avenue Q Nikk Uttley as Productions Fame Drama Christmas Eve Tyrone Jackson Group Anna Jones as Les Miserables CLOC Spectrum Fantine (Schools Edition) Juniors Alex Hazelton as Joe Fame Drama Vegas Group BEST MALE IN A SUPPORTING ROLE Sam Beaumont as WSM Ed Creswick as Seussical Hello Dolly WSM The Cat in the Hat Oppitts Cornelius Haki Ricky Enoch as Les Miserables CLOC Phil Turley as Dad Our House Bridgwater Javert (Schools Edition) Juniors Leon Searle as Bill Oliver! Wellington Dillon Berry as Sykes Sweeney Todd Frome Tobias Ragg Spectrum Pearce Hendy as Fame Drama Nick Piazza BEST YOUTH 17 -21 Female Group Tabitha Cox as Maria Sound of Music Frome Thomas Creswick as WSM Seussical Spectrum Horton Oppitts Jen Payne as Serena Adam Hunter as Fame Drama Sunshine Katz Nicky and Bad Idea Avenue Q Group Productions Spectrum Bear Rachael Goninan as Fame Drama Carmen Diaz Group BEST FEMALE IN A LEAD ROLE Kiana Ashton as Les Miserables CLOC Maureen Wicherly as Hello Dolly WSM Eponine (Schools Edition) Juniors Dolly Levi Hattie Eason As Thoroughly Spectrum CUDOS Jen Payne as Serena Millie Modern Millie Fame Drama Katz Group BEST YOUTH 17-21 Male Jules Ashton as Clevedon Sweet Charity Max Nicholson Lailey Beauty and the Wells Charity LOC as Lumiere Beast Juniors Nicole Welling as Spectrum Logainne 25th Annual Exit Stage Pearce Hendy as Fame Drama Schwartzandgrubini Spelling Bee Left Nick Piazza Group erre Young Tamar Hankinson as Sunshine Avenue Q Ryan Linham as Musical Kate Monster Productions Fame Tyrone Jackson Theatre Marie Brolly as Miss Guys and Dolls YAOS Company Adelaide Oliver Martin as Les Miserables CLOC Valjean (Schools Edition) Juniors BEST MALE IN A LEAD ROLE Michael Griffiths as Sunshine Avenue Q BEST CAMEO Princeton Productions Rocky Monster Ricky Enoch as Les Miserables CLOC Emma Ronald as Ria OASIS Show Javert (Schools Edition) Juniors Dean Webber as Robbie Burns as Our House Bridgwater Hello Dolly WSM Reecey Horace Vandergelder Ben Lynch as Beauty and the Wells Will Howlett as Joe Our House Bridgwater M.D'Arque Beast Juniors Shaun Driver as Bill Me & My Girl YAOS Natalie Baker as Mrs Sunshine Snibson Avenue Q Thistletwat Productions Davey Evans as Sweeney Todd Frome Ben Hardy-Phillips Sweeney Todd Sweeney Todd Frome as Adolfo Pirelli Will Poulton as SHOW STOPPER Nicely Nicely Guys and Dolls YAOS Rocky Monster Time Warp OASIS Johnson Show Baggy Trousers Our House Bridgwater BEST FEMALE IN SUPPORTING ROLE Young Bring on Nina Wylde as Angie Our House Bridgwater Musical Tomorrow/Fame Fame Emma Hodgkinson Theatre Our House Bridgwater (Finale) as Billie Company Florence Nicholson- Beauty and the Wells Sunshine The Money Song Avenue Q Lailey as Cogsworth Beast Juniors Productions Holly McEleney as 25th Annual Exit Stage Les Miserables CLOC One Day More Rona-Lisa Peretti Spelling Bee Left (Schools Edition) Juniors Bethany Perrins as WSM The Cuba Scene Guys and Dolls YAOS Seussical Sour Kangaroo Oppitts Sally Stockman as Young Fame Mabel Musical

8 BEST CHORUS

Milbourne BEST CHOREOGRAPHY The Company Iolanthe Port Clevedon Jules Ashton Me & My Girl The Company Hello Dolly WSM LOC The Nuns Sound of Music Frome Nina Charlambous Hello Dolly WSM Young Katy Gunningham Our House Bridgwater Musical Tina Eyers and Judi The Company Fame Anything Goes Wells Theatre Neale Company Lois Bennett and Clevedon Sweet Charity Les Miserables CLOC Emma Flaherty LOC The Company (Schools Edition) Juniors The Company Sweeney Todd Frome BEST MUSICAL DIRECTION

Tony Pomeroy Our House Bridgwater CHALLENGE TROPHY Rachel Hamilton Anything Goes Tickenham Milbourne The Company Iolanthe Kerry Bishop Sound of Music Frome Port 25th Annual Exit Stage The Company Hello Dolly WSM Harry Burt Spelling Bee Left Young Young Musical Musical The Company Fame Luke Holman (18) Fame Theatre Theatre Company Company Sunshine Natasha T Green and Sunshine The Company Avenue Q Avenue Q Productions Annie Doswell Productions

BEST YOUTH PRODUCTION BEST DIRECTION Spectrum James Tucker Our House Bridgwater The Company Fame Drama 25th Annual Exit Stage Group James Moore Spelling Bee Left Young WSM Musical Sue Collings Seussical The Company Fame Oppitts Theatre Young Company Musical Les Miserables CLOC Cy Boddy Fame The Company Theatre (Schools Edition) Juniors Company WSM The Company Seussical Sunshine Oppitts Simon Duffill Avenue Q Productions Beauty and the Wells The Company Beast Juniors BEST MUSICAL

25th Annual Exit Stage SMALL VENUE TROPHY The Company Spelling Bee Left Clevedon The Company Me & My Girl Sunshine LOC The Company Avenue Q Productions Milbourne The Company Iolanthe The Company Les Miserables Cloc Juniors Port The Company Me And My Girl YAOS The Company Anything Goes Wells WSM The Company Hello Dolly WSM The Company Seussical Oppitts The Pajama The Company Wells Game

What did they say…???

“All the world's a stage and most of us are desperately unrehearsed.” ― Seán O'Casey

“Why, except as a means of livelihood, a man should desire to act on the stage when he has the whole world to act in, is not clear to me.” ― George Bernard Shaw

“The world is a stage, but the play is badly cast.” ― Oscar Wilde

9 12th – 15th February Sir Richard Grey is KINDERTRANSPORT dead and his What’s On By Diane Samuels funeral is over.

The Warehouse Theatre, Are the family January Ilminster at 7:30pm sad? Hardly, In Paris, In November 1938, a they’re more in 28th January – 1st February young Jew shot and killed a the mood to DICK WHITTINGTON German Embassy official. This set celebrate. However By Alan Frayn off an horrific series of pogroms, Armitage, the butler, disapproves Yeovil Amateur Pantomime all over Europe but most and all of the family wonder why. Society particularly in Germany. Pogrom It is the 1930s and the first World Octagon Theatre Yeovil at means "to wreak havoc" and this War still casts it’s shadow. But 7.30pm. Sat 1.30pm & 6.30pm. is exactly what happened to the perhaps their lives are about to London's streets of gold are Jews in Germany. The Nazis set change? calling and, with his faithful cat out to persecute and where If you liked Downton Abbey over by his side, our hero Dick goes possible annihilate whole the festive period, you are in for a searching for his fortune in the communities. Many Jewish treat! big city. But he won't make it families, fearing for the lives and Directed by Colin Astley without your help! Be there to future of their children, sought BOX OFFICE: 0844 870 0887 cheer Dick on along his journey, ways to send them out of www.portisheadplayers.ticketsourc 'boo' at the biggest baddie of all Germany to safety. e.co.uk, or at Morgan Westley, time - King Rat - and 'ahh' at the In England, groups of people, Portishead High Street. object of Dick's affections, the mainly Jews, Quakers and Red For further information about beautiful Alice. Packed full of Cross officials raised the funds the play and/or the group itself, fabulous tunes, stunning dancing and obtained special permits to please visit our website plus lots of sparkle and chances allow unaccompanied children to www.portishead-players.org.uk to join in, this is going to be one come into England. In 1938, two pantomime not to miss. trains a week left Germany, full 14th – 22nd February Directed by Steve Hentschel of Jewish children of all ages, sent HUMPTY DUMPTY BOX OFFICE: 01935 422884 or to be safe by their parents, but Somerton Dramatic Society www.octagon-theatre.co.uk often never to see them again. In Parish Rooms Somerton at 1939, when war was imminent, 7:30pm with Saturday matinees February the trains ran daily. When war at 2:30pm broke out in September the trains BOX stopped running but by then, OFFICE: 11th – 15th 10,000 children had been Palmer February brought safely to this country. Snell, SLEEPING "Kindertransport" is not a Market BEAUTY holocaust play. It is the story, Square, By Alan P based on the memories of many, Somerton Frayn of one such child, Eva. Sent away Cinderella Cloverleaf by her mother, having to leave Trophy Production everything loved and familiar, to Entry s go to a safe but very foreign Combe St country. The play traces her 18th – 22nd February Nicholas Village Hall at 7:30pm experiences, and the effects of it ALADDIN Tue – Friday ; 2:30pm and on her entire life. This is a By Samuel Lewin 6:30pm Saturday heartwarming, often affecting Puriton Players A village in the Rainbow play - "not to be missed " Puriton Village Hall at 7:15pm Kingdom is the setting for this 2013 was the 75th anniversary of (2:00pm Sat Matinee) well loved pantomime story "Kindertransport " Puriton Players transport you to featuring characters such as Directed by Anna Bowerman Pekin for their magical Nurse Dottie Dettol (the dame), BOX OFFICE: 07943 779800 pantomime. Join Aladdin as he King Cactus, Queen Marigold and www.thewarehousetheatre.org.uk battles evil sorcerer Abanazar in Princess Rose aided and abetted a blaze of colourful costumes, by Muddles and Fetch and 13th – 15th February dynamic dances and truly Carrie!! THE FUNERAL PARTY unmissable performances. Directed by Ros Roderigo By Colin Astley Directed by Samuel Lewin BOX OFFICE: 01460 62739 Portishead Players Cinderella Trophy Entry Cinderella Trophy Entry Somerset Hall, Portishead SFD Concessions SFD Concessions at 7:30pm with. Matinee at 2pm on Saturday

10 19th – 22nd February characters: a supercilious cat CINDERELLA and a mad tea party! 13th – 15th March Cannington Pantomime Directed by Lesley Speed & Kim HAY FEVER Society Gaylord. by Noel Coward Cannington Village Hall at 7:30 BOX OFFICE: 01460 220522 Street Theatre pm with Saturday matinee at Cinderella Trophy Entry Strode Theatre at 7.30 p.m. 2.30pm BOX OFFICE: 01458 442846 Directed by Joy Speed March Phoebe Rees entry. BOX OFFICE: 01278 653923 Cinderella Trophy Entry April 6th – 8th March 2014

19th – 22nd February SLEEPING BEAUTY 1st – 5th April 2014 THE MUSIC MAN By Toby Bradford & Tina A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC By Meredith Willson Webster by Stephen Sondheim and Hugh CARY AMATEUR THEATRICAL Chardstock Amateur Wheeler SOCIETY Dramatic Society Tickenham Drama group Ansford Academy, Castle Cary at Chardstock Community Hall at Tickenham Village Hall. At 7:30pm 7.30pm with 3.00pm Sat 7:45pm. Conman Harold Hill convinces matinee Director Andy Marchant. River City they need a boys' band, CADS celebrate their 25th planning to abscond with monies Pantomime with the classic tale The story involves the romantic for instruments and uniforms. of Sleeping Beauty, a tale of lives of several couples. One of Harold falls for Librarian Fairies, Love, an Evil Curse and Sondeim’s most popular Marian, reveals all and redeems maybe the odd Cannibal... musicals featuring, amongst himself. Directed by Chris Williamson & others, the poignant ‘Send in the Directed By Chris Holman Silvey Webber Clowns’. BOX OFFICE : 07843 169283 BOX OFFICE: Chardstock Stores David Beach Entry & Post Office or email [email protected] or Tel: 01460 221067 Cinderella Trophy Entry Dates for your diary in 2014

Saturday 8th March 2014 David Beach Presentation Evening Somerset County Cricket Club

27th February – 1st March Saturday & Sunday 22nd/23rd ALICE IN WONDERLAND March 2014 By Kate Perry and Karen Dolan- 11th – 15th March County Drama Festival Smith BRIGADOON Warehouse Theatre, Ilminster Tatworth Amateur Book and Lyrics by Alan Jay Sunday 27th April 2014 Pantomime Society Lerner Tatworth Memorial Hall at Music by Frederick Loewe Five Counties Drama Festival Clevedon Light Opera Club Edington Village Hall 7:30pm with Saturday matinee at 2:30pm Princes Hall, Clevedon, at 7:30 Saturday 17th May 2014 pm Alice and Mum meet a white Cinderella Awards Evening Once in the highlands, the rabbit that talks and takes them Wintergardens, Weston Super into Wonderland where they highlands of Scotland, two weary hunters lost their way… Mare meet good, evil and some strange BOX OFFICE: 07971 553911 Saturday 20th September 2014 The SFD AGM Venue to be announced

Check out the Workshops on Page 17 Saturday 11th October 2014 Phoebe Rees Diamond Jubilee Awards Ceremony The Shrubbery Hotel, Ilminster

11 Cinderella Trophy Moderator Sam Allen reviews January’s pantomimes Reviews

CINDERELLA time. And when it was only a half-hearted laugh Frome Musical Theatre Company he had the confidence and cheekiness to say: Frome Memorial Theatre didn’t like that one then? And it was that easy Fri 3rd January 2014 banter with the audience, as well as great rapport with his fellow actors, his boundless The Government’s emergency Cobra energy and his great singing and dancing, that committee had met and issued all sorts of made this such a winning performance. frightening warnings about the severe weather ut he certainly didn’t have a monopoly on the that was afflicting the country so it was with B some trepidation that we ventured out on the comedy. Oh, no! Humphrey Barnes and Andrew long journey to Frome on a dark, wet January Carpenter as the Ugly Sisters had us rolling in night. In the event Mother Nature was kind and the aisles even as we deplored their wicked although the fields were wet the weather was selfishness. Having picked out the hapless Eric benign. in the audience, Grizelda flirted with him This was our second journey to Frome this year, outrageously throughout the show, a reflection having been to the town’s Merlin theatre just of the warmth and humour with which the before Christmas. As befits two performances in players involved the audience throughout the the same town, the two shows were very show. They had a range of increasingly different. This time round we saw as traditional outrageous dresses and wigs and they a pantomime as you would hope to get. It was performed with great confidence, interacting the old favourite, Cinderella, and the Frome with each other in such a natural and Musical Theatre Company performed it in a delightfully wicked and funny way. straightforward, traditional way. Alan P. Frayn’s Baroness Hardup was played by Victoria May, very funny script stayed true to the traditional her self-assuredness contrasting nicely with the Cinderella storyline we all know and love. rather feckless Baron Hardup played by Andy Button’s unrequited love for Cinders was a Tawse. running theme, the Ugly Sisters were As ever the love interest was supplied by convincingly mean, as was their horrible Cinderella and Prince Charming played mother, and Baron Hardup was a ninny. respectively by Beth Iyavoo and Tabitha Cox. As befits a society that was, until recently, was Beth was a delightful Cinders, singing, dancing called the Frome Amateur Operatic Society, and charming her way through the show, while singing and dancing were strong features of this Tabitha played with confidence and regal show. There are some beautiful voices in Frome bearing. They both sang beautifully and were and the standard of the choreography was very the epitome of pantomime Principal Boy and high both for the principals and for the fabulous Principal Girl. ensemble who danced and sang their hearts out. Not to forget the Prince’s valet, Dandini played This was wonderful disciplined throughout. by Jasmine Shillabeer in a great role with some Great entrances and exits; each scene was lovely songs. And, of course, the Fairy delightfully topped and tailed; the stage Godmother, played delightfully and traditionally pictures were stunning in places; and by Teresa Bray. movement was clear, direct and meaningful. There was some great spectacle in this show This was not a show where we would expect thanks to wonderful costumes, sets, lighting and fluffed lines or missed cues. And we didn’t get the use of special effects such as snow, confetti, any! Well-rehearsed with no weak links. What’s a beautiful carriage and a real live pony. The not to like? production team of Director Joanne Plenty, At only 17, Ben Hardy-Phillips played Buttons Choreographer Sarah Plenty and MD David with a maturity beyond his years demonstrating Hynds combined to send us home happy. And great command of that all-important audience the weather smiled on us too despite the dire rapport and delivering even the corniest gags warnings. with an assuredness that made us laugh every

12 MOTHER GOOSE There was plenty for the chorus to do too Minehead Panto People (including taking on key cameo roles in Act 2) The Regal Theatre, Minehead and we enjoyed a number of charming dances Monday 6th January from the youngsters. The chorus opened the The Regal Theatre in Minehead, show with gusto and set our feet tapping for resplendent with new entrance and a new lift this fast-paced show. The panto band, led by allowing easier access for those who find the Dean Blackwell, provided a lively backing track stairs difficult to negotiate, was the go-to place to the show and there was some inventive for Minehead councillors on the night we were choreography from Hannah Thompson, Beth there. It was the official opening ceremony for Wrigley and Manda Clarke. the new lift so the auditorium was filled with We journeyed from the Village of Little Doowing elected local politicians who had turned out to Snookup Towers and then on to the fantasy especially for the occasion. Cue lots of gags at world of Gooseland which was full of their expense! It all led to a feeling of good- wonderment for the kiddies. natured banter and bonhomie. Great fun. Director Richard Derry used Graham The Regal is a great little theatre with its raked Barraclough’s script to get plenty of giggles seating giving everyone a good view. And it’s from the audience and it certainly seemed as just as well because there was a lot to see. Great though everyone was enjoying themselves on backdrops and costumes made this a visual stage and that enjoyment is infectious! We spectacle. There was some clever use of lighting reminisced on that feel-good factor on our to create cobbled streets and the magical pool journey home through the dark and stormy into which Dame Gertie dived to transform her night. into a vision of loveliness! And the kids must have loved that great big goose costume. SNOW WHITE AND THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN DWARFS This was a traditional panto show with all the Nailsea Musicals favourite characters in place. We had the fight The Scotch Horn Centre, Nailsea against good and evil in the form of Fairy Flora Friday 17th January played by Sam Murrell and the devilish demon, Nasty Nick played by Peter Thompson who Nailsea Musicals are a very welcome really knew how to get the audience hissing and new addition to the Cinderella Trophy booing. In the ‘real’ world (if there can be such a Competition and so it was our first visit to their thing in pantoland) we had thigh-slapping pantomime. Nailsea, with a population of about principal boy Peter Piper, played by Tracy 15,000 population lies about eight miles Moles swashbuckling her way into the realm of southwest of Bristol. The panto is staged in the the demon in her quest to right wrongs in this intriguingly-named Scotch Horn leisure Centre, tale of derring-do. which has an auditorium with seating capacity If they represented the competent components of about 120 and a good-sized well-equipped stage. of the struggle, then we were equally well represented by the hapless: The evil Squire Sir Nailsea Musicals have been around since 1977 Peter Snookup (Tim Langdon) was assisted, or but this is only their fourth pantomime. Their perhaps hindered, by the barmy bailiffs, Casper musical background showed through in the Cutt and Rodney Runn played by Lee Baker and pantomime as we enjoyed some lovely singing James Scott. What a hopeless trio these three and energetic choreography even if some of the made! Then we had Peter Piper’s love interest slickness associated with pantomime was not Susie played by Penny Brown. And, of course always there. They had chosen an unusual Mother Goose herself, Malcolm McNeill playing script written by the popular Damian Trasler, the vain and self-centred Dame. And sixteen- David Lovesy and Steve Clark. Set entirely in the year-old Seb Davies played Tommy, the all- Wild West, this version took the storyline from important linkman, always a difficult challenge Snow White and gave it an intriguing new twist. for one so young and a fine fist he made of it too. While it may have provided the cast the ongoing And, of course, we had Priscilla the Goose, challenge of mastering the American drawl, it played effectively by Merrissa Kendall in a very certainly provided a huge array of western fine Goose costume. tunes and songs. And every haberdashery in

13 Nailsea and the surrounding area must have run (geddit? There wasn’t a real mirror to tell the out of gingham! With a 15-strong cast and a wicked… oh, you get the idea). chorus of some 56 including adults, juniors and Tim Clark played one-eyed Slim who was minis. That is not a typo! Fifty-six! So there were charged with doing away with Snow White by times when there were over 70 people on stage! tying her to the railway tracks but in the end What a challenge for the wardrobe department! chickened out and she was rescued by the (And when they were all jumping up and down horse, Tornado (Helen Boshier) , who has the during the hoedown, quite a challenge for the noisiest posterior in pantoland. Decorum stage!) prevents me from elaborating but suffice to say, I loved the fact that this story distanced itself I have had many directors who spoke from the from the familiar Disney film; Snow White’s same part of their body. I must say, though, that gingham dress bore no relation to the I prefer my humour to be slightly subtler. traditional Disney getup. And the names of the As befits a musical society there was a fine Seven Dwarfs, while still reflecting their band of musicians and the sets with their characters, did not mirror the Disney characters projected backdrops were very evocative of the in any way. So we had Bossy Bob (Laura wild and woolly west. At its best panto thrives Shields), Ready Reg (Vicky Midda), Speedy Sam on uninterrupted action and I would like to (Mike Craske), Curious Clive (Zack Taylor), have seen slicker scene changes and, perhaps Forgetful Fred (Dan James), Changeable Charlie twenty minutes shaved off the running time. But (Mitchell Young), and Punning Pete played by all in all, this was an enjoyable show and a Dan Hardwell whose impeccable comic timing welcome addition to the Cinderella Trophy belied his tender years. These were dwarfs of all family. ages and sizes who made no pretence at being small! Great stuff! CINDERELLA The principal boy was Sheriff Vince Charming CUDOS (do you see what they did there?) who was not Victoria Hall, Crewkerne only the hero but also provided the love interest Thursday, 23rd January for Snow White. The duo, played by Charlotte Clark and Keren Arnold, delighted us with their Everything changes! Well, it does in singing of the old classic River Deep, Mountain Cinderella’s transformation scene. In last High. We had a great song too from by Gayle month’s Spotlight I was bleating on about a Edmonds as Snow White’s wicked stepmother production of Cinderella where the first act did Widow Drusilla Blackheart. I always think this not end with the transformation scene. For me, is a difficult role to get right; it is only believable it was the first time I’d come across that. And if the character combines beauty and now, blow me down, it’s happened again! In the wickedness. So there is limited scope for the evil CUDOS production of Cinderella in Crewkerne, to be enhanced by horrible makeup, costume the transformation scene did not happen until and so on. It all has to be conveyed by the acting we were in Act 2. and I thought Gayle achieved this very well, But that was not the only quirky thing about especially when she transformed herself into this pantomime. The script, penned by director the horrible, bent-over old hag with suitably evil Ann Brolly, contained more than one or two voice. surprises. The Fairy Godmother, Jessie G (Angie The dame, Nanny Oakley was played by Paul Eason) started off as a member of the audience Jennings who would have benefitted from a bit complete with warm coat, hat and handbag! Her of padding to make sense of the constant gags special Fairy Godmother dress didn’t make an about her weight! Comedy came in large part appearance until near the finale! And the show from Ian Perry as Billy the Kid who developed a was opened by the Andrews Sisters! OK, they fine repartee with the audience and created a were billed as Faith, Hope and Charity (Heidi fine style in exits that the others would do well Scott, Jo Lyons and Dendy Harris), but they to take on board. The other player who didn’t fool me! understands a good entrance was Richard Despite all the unusual twists, the storyline Waller, who played Chief Shining Mirror stayed true to the traditional Cinderella we know and love. OK, so we didn’t have Button’s

14 unrequited love for Cinderella but, you know, SLEEPING BEAUTY dropping that element of pathos isn’t Clevedon Comedy Club necessarily a bad thing. Buttons was played Princes Hall, Clevedon very competently by Ray Norris providing a Friday 24th January warm heart in Cinder’s otherwise cold world. Cinders was played by the ever-smiling Yet another journey up the M5 in Karianne Davis and her singing and delightful torrential rain, this time to Clevedon and a dancing were enchanting, as indeed was that of wonderfully warm welcome at Princes Hall. Prince Brooklyn (Diana Hodgson) and her Although relatively new to the SFD, Clevedon sidekick, Dandini (Lucy Perry). Comedy Club have been around since 1970 and their experience showed particularly, I thought, e had some very fine singing throughout the W on the technical side. The lighting in this evening with even the King and Queen (Miles production was super, creating real atmosphere Browning and Rosa Atkinson) having their and enhancing all the on-stage action. Similarly, moment in the spotlight. And the chorus sang the sound was clear as a bell with every their hearts out too with some fine displays of speaker, including the chorus bit parts, miked choral singing which would have been and amplified. Even the non-speaking cat had a enhanced in one or two numbers with a bit of microphone for her occasional meow! And there dancing too. The principals’ dancing, though, were some lovely sound effects created both by was splendid, with some very fine movements. the sound team and the band that accompanied Villainy came in the form of Cinderella’s wicked the show to great effect throughout. Musical stepmother played in fine style by Amanda Director Gaynor Burgess had assembled a fine Perry. She was every bit the hateful and selfish little quartet. She also got some fine singing old harridan we have come to expect of the role. from the chorus with lovely counter melodies And comedy came largely from two duos. Bodgit and strong attack. The principals sang nicely too and Scarper were played by Kerry Peters and although I think we missed out on one or two Lorraine Dash, providing some well-worked rib-tickling comedy songs. slapstick and fine displays of comic stupidity. The costumes were startling in their colour and But the undoubted stars of the show were Nick quality with the dame in a set of wonderfully Harris and Richard Walters as the irrepressible outrageous frocks as befits true pantomime. Ugly Sisters. Their every entrance raised And I loved the makeup on both the cats in this anticipation because we knew there was fun to show. Yes, two cats! But more about that later. come. They captured wonderfully the bickering The sizeable stage at the Princes Hall was and childishness of spoilt children who have bedecked by a fine home-produced set. And been brought up to expect the world to cater to scene changes were swift and effective. their every whim. Great performances. This was a strictly traditional pantomime with his was a fast-paced show with plenty for the T good and bad pitted against each other, lighting, audience to get their teeth into. Musical costumes, makeup and acting combining to accompaniment was ably provided by John enhance that battle. The good fairies were very, Perry and his team and the costumes, stage very good with their beautiful sparkly costumes, management, lights and sound effects were all tiara, wands and clear voices. Fairy Peaceful, spot on. There was good use of pyrotechnics played by Daniela Hart, had the main role and and a suitably awe-inspiring transformation was impressive in her transformed state as a scene. But above all there was fun. Great gags, serving wench. Elaine Summers, Georgia Dash full of off-beat humour with up-to-date and local and Danielle Holder made up the wholesome references, this was a well-rehearsed show that quartet of good fairies, each bestowing on the made good use of all the facilities and provided baby princess their magical gifts. a great evening’s entertainment. It sent us home Against them was Amy Vinson as the fallen fairy with a warm glow on a cold January night. Carabosse, evil in mind and evil in intent. She was accompanied by Rita Allen as the wonderfully named Spindleshanks, an evil cat with a burning desire to be human! This was a delightful and alluring performance.

15 On the side of righteousness, or possibly excuse to put together some great entertainment. But I do think a good plot merely rambunctiousness, we had the hapless enhances the enjoyment. King Norbert played by Philip Pover who had married Queen Dorothy (Chris Needes), the Still, there was plenty of enjoyment to be had. dame in this show. That meant that we didn’t The trick of instructing the audience to boo the have the usual dame nonsense about her villain and cheer the good fairy worked a treat. desperately in search of a man and flirting We were up for it right from the get-go! Not that outrageously with all and sundry, which I think we needed much prompting with Mary Lewis is a bit of a pity because it meant that we lost making a superbly villainous Zendora, enhanced out a bit on audience rapport. The comedy trio by great makeup, costume and lights. This was a were completed by the Royal Butler, Billy, great performance. Equally convincing, opposite played by Brian Tyrell who was cast in this her we had Dawn Morton as the assertive Fairy show as an aging retainer rather than the more Lights. traditional sprightly young lad. And then we had the tremendous energy and And then, of course, we had Georgie Sowman as enthusiasm from the chorus with splendid the beautiful princess Aurora and Jess Stock as dancing and harmonising belying the fact that her suitor, Prince Orlando. A fine pair of this was their third show of the day. Yes. You principals embodying the very essence of the read that right. THIRD show of the day. There pantomime tradition. Not forgetting Kitty. Kitty were performances at 10:00, 2:30 & 7:30 which, was the good cat. This was a non-speaking role, with a running time just less than three hours but what she lacked in diction Chlöe Hayden and a further two shows on Sunday is a huge more than made up for in her facial expression, commitment from the whole team and very physical dexterity and downright charm. commendable. Despite being speechless, she even developed We had dimwits aplenty. Walter with his more rapport with the audience than the other mysterious box, played by Ollie Swain with his players and I loved how she played it true to the trainee brother, also Walter (don’t ask), played end even meowing along to the finale song by Ebony Slack. And the fine pairing of Jim instead of singing the words! Hawkins and David Waring who really have the This show had most of the wonderful art of the hapless ‘brokers men’ down to a tee. ingredients of a marvellous panto and it was a In their roles as Sage and Onion they shame that it took a long time to get the demonstrated some fine comic timing. The audience going. We got there in the end and ‘echo’ scene, while an old one, still had us enjoyed a wonderful and foot tapping finale roaring in our seats. Bob Blundell played a before hitting the motorway for the rainy ride delightfully camp Valet while Kiera Chard and home. Ashleigh Payne both stepped out from the senior dancers to play the palace bakers, Salt SLEEPING BEAUTY and Pepper in the slapstick scene. In fact there WellingtonPantomime Group were many occasions when chorus members Wellesley Theatre, Wellington played small speaking parts, which is great to Saturday, 25th january see. The King and Queen were played with great To Wellington’s Wellesley Theatre panache by Ian Jones and Kathryn Fear. Their where we enjoyed a cracking show, full of rendition of Spamalot’s The Song That Goes Like bonhomie, audience interaction, comedy and This was a real crowd pleaser. So too was Lizzie some great musical numbers, it was an object Harvey’s solo Somewhere over the Rainbow. She lesson in what pantomime is all about. The played Nightingale, the principal girl opposite script, by Limelight Scripts, was unusual, to say Emily Mitchell’s Justin Thyme (do you see what the least. The storyline was, at best, peripheral. I they did there?) in a pleasing romantic pairing. know that it often is in pantoland but in this But stealing the thunder, as is only proper in a script, apart from a few odd references to good pantomime, was Mike Hamilton as Dame spinning wheels, it was very unclear what was Thyme. Surprisingly this was Mike’s Dame supposed to be going on. In some ways this debut. Surprising because he had the nuances doesn’t matter. The storyline in panto is just an down to a tee. Great voice, wonderful comic

16 timing and a very easy style that resonated with It’s as well the seats in the Wellesley are so the audience who he had in the palm of his comfortable, because with the show running for hand. a little under three hours they needed to be! There are some cracking singing voices in With so much great talent at your disposal it Wellington and the excellent band, led by MD must be incredibly tempting to add in songs to Ian Webb-Taylor, showed them all off to great showcase it all, but you really should resist. A effect. Choreographer Charlie Evans gave us procession of children traipsing out to the loo in some lovely dance moves in a vibrant and the run-up to the interval is a bit of a clue that colourful show brought to life with the help of the show is a tad too long. All in all, however, sumptuous costume, great lighting and the this was a great evening’s entertainment and a occasional touch of magic such as the confetti tribute to the Wellesley’s comfy seats! and the marvellous spinning wheel that wowed Sam Allen us when we entered the auditorium.

Letters New Venues in Bridgwater always envisaged that this significant investment should be made available for the local I am e-mailing to let you know, if you weren’t community and outside groups and agencies to already aware, that we have some fantastic new realise the full benefit of these assets. facilities open for use by community groups and If your group would be interested in having a businesses. They are within three school look around our new facilities here in buildings across two sites and are available for Bridgwater to see if it may be of interest then use during evenings, weekends and school please do not hesitate to contact me on this e- holidays and offer fantastic drama spaces and mail address or via the contact numbers below. main halls complete with bleacher seating. Hope to hear from you soon The venues are part of the former governments Building Schools for the Future initiative with Dominique Beach each site boasting a £25m school and associated Community Enterprise Manager buildings with state-of-the-art equipment. It was Futures for Somerset

Workshops

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Moorlight Magic

From Rags to Riches. You will go to the Ball!

Some scenes from Moorlight’s production of Cinderella in the Meyer Theatre, Street. For a review of this production, see last month’s Spotlight.

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