April Workbook (28 Pages)

Editorial – Quick Theatre

In Brief

Membership Figures

The David Beach Presentation Evening

Phoebe Rees Review

Cinderella Reviews

What’s On This Spring

Cinderella Reviews

Letters

Bulletin Board

APRIL 2011 Charity No: 1084863

And then last week I was involved Editorial with giving the five winners in the Fellowship Committee new Merlin Playwriting Competition an airing. There had, incidentally, Quick Theatre been 56 entries! Claudia Pepler, who Chair David Jenkins 01278 786501 [email protected] directed, had invited FDC to provide Vice-chair Di Dean 01458 250852 [email protected] the actors. We had a readthrough I’ve become increasingly and one rehearsal earlier in the week Secretary Pat Sollis 01823 490750 [email protected] aware of a new type of theatre and then we were on, scripts in hand, Treasurer Monica Nicholls 01458 272023 [email protected] recently - very short plays. And in rudimentary costume and working I have to say I find it rather with just a table and chairs and the Spotlight Philip de Glanville 01373 451680 [email protected] beguiling! simplest of props. None of the plays Membership Sherry Briggs 01458 273476 [email protected] lasted more than 30 minutes, and the A couple of weeks ago I went along best of them (to my mind) was just Presentations Di Dean 01458 250852 [email protected] to see an evening of four new 15 10 minutes. It was an exquisite piece Originals Jane Edwards 01823 322440 [email protected] minute plays – 3 two-handers, and a called One Long Interval by a young monologue – upstairs at the Lamb, County Drama Martin Jevon 01823 259311 [email protected] man named Patrice Gerrard, who once one of Frome’s most run down had never written a play before, but Training Vacancy and delapidated pubs, but now who – like a skilful Impressionist done up and enjoying a bit of a Phoebe Rees Anna Bowerman 01460 57857 [email protected] painter - was able in just a few renaissance. Frome Drama Club brushstrokes (?keystrokes) to create a Cinderella June Jenkins 01278 786501 [email protected] meet there nowadays and the locals really funny and extremely moving are developing a taste for pub story. It was extraordinary. David Beach Sandra Pittwood 01460 67481 [email protected] theatre, as well as their excellent Remember his name. Youth Liz Brown 01278 652687 [email protected] beer. Nearly 50 people came, including all The evening went under the title of the authors of course. There was a Four in a Bed and the four plays, great atmosphere, and quite a good Area Representatives written by two Frome playwrights feedback session in the bar (Crysee Morrison and Rosie afterwards. No one seemed to mind Mendip Philip de Glanville 07980 010997 [email protected] Finnegan), were performed by a that some of the performances had small troupe of professional actors been a bit sketchy, and in fact I think Sedgemoor David Jenkins 01278 786501 [email protected] from Bootleg Theatre Company, this impression of ‘spontaneity’ was

Sth Somerset (W) Polly Bray 01460 63503 [email protected] who are based in Salisbury. part of the evening’s charm. It felt

All four plays were set in or around Sth Somerset (E) Jan Waldock 01963 31740 [email protected] like real community theatre. around a single bed – made or Taunton Deane Ron Roberts 01458 241374 [email protected] Now we’ve got some more relatively unmade – and I think it was the ‘quick theatre’ coming up – seven West Somerset Chris de Vere Hunt 01643862584 [email protected] simplicity of the staging, as well as plays in one day at the SFD’s County the strength of the writing, which Drama this Saturday (April 2nd). really appealed to me. If you didn’t They are being adjudicated publicly particularly rate one play, there was st by Marie O’Sullivan, GODA, which Deadline for SPOTLIGHT: 21 of preceding month always another one. And for £5 a adds enormously to the fun. We hope head you couldn’t go wrong. to see you there! PdeG 2 3

IN BRIEF M EMBERSHIPMEMBERSHIP FIGURES FIGURES Selected jottings from the last Anna Bowerman said that Dave

SFD Committee Meeting held on Goodall had completed his training period as a new Phoebe The bar on subscriptions for this year On the individual member’s side, it looks Thursday 3rd March. st Rees adjudicator and would be a came down on 1 March. We allowed as though our fears about losing large The Original Play Festival was very welcome addition to the rather more leeway on this occasion numbers once we stopped posting generally agreed to have been a panel. The decision not to accept because of a bit of a mixup around the Spotlight to individuals every month have success, and Jane Edwards was Taunton Thespiansʼ The Good time of the handover , but Sherry not been realised, thank goodness. congratulated on having steered Briggs, our new Membership Secretary, Doctor as an entry in the Nine members have not renewed this the event so effectively. There has got the system sorted and is competition was discussed at year, the single commonest reason being had been a complaint from one length and the Committee voted to confident the numbers are now correct. that they have moved out of the area. of the groups taking part that the endorse Moderator Alex Webbʼs We are sad to be saying goodbye to a On the positive side however we have adjudications had not been as view that, being a group of nine number of groups this year who have five new members paying individual subs detailed and helpful as they have playlets, it did not constitute a play either become inactive or who have this year, and we are delighted to have in the past, and this was noted which the panel could fairly formally dissolved themselves. These them on board: for next yearʼs Festival. adjudicate. The rules will be are: Jane proposed that the deadline clarified on this matter. See the Nicki Hunt Davison

for script entries for the current Letters Page of this issue for more Barrington Players Lee Baker Original Playwriting Competition details. Junction 21 Lyn Lockyer be brought forward to the end of Village Players Bob Gibbons July, to allow the reading panel There had been 25 entries for the New Junction Michael Morris more time to short-list and to Cinderella Trophy Competition CATS'83 give groups interested in this year. The panel would be They bring the total number of individual producing one of the plays in the meeting in mid-April to decide on Creaky Coach Theatre Company paid-up members to 159, with an Festival more notice so that they the nominations which will be However, a big hello and a warm additional 14 who share joint could start rehearsals earlier. announced as usual at the annual welcome to: membership with partners. The Originals page on the Presentation Evening on 14th May The number of new people registering to website has been updated, and at the Westlands Complex. Blackchair Productions use the website continues to grow entries are already coming in. Ron Roberts, Moderator, said that Worle Operatic & Dramatic Society steadily – now 271 in total, in addition to he took the act of plagiarism by Clevedon Comedy Club the individual members and all the Club The County Drama Festival on Anthony Pickering very seriously. Red Line Theatre Saturday April 2nd will have He had misrepresented the script ICIA University of Bath Contacts, and the number of visits to the website has more than doubled since seven plays, over two sessions. of Cinderella (subsequently seen Motiv8 Productions this time last year – in March 2010 there Martin Jevon, Co-ordinating, by several people on ITV as its @2k Productions proposed that tickets for each Christmas panto!) as his own were 1089 visits, and in March 2011 so session would be £7.00, with original work. He would be writing These bring the number of member far we have had 2570 visits – that’s a lot £12 for both, for sale on the door to him, and to Spotlight about this. groups up to 89 this year, the largest of exposure if you are using What’s On to ever total in the SFD’s history! advertise your upcoming production! 4 5

The David Beach Awards Sandra Pitwood reports on a very successful Presentation th Evening at the County Cricket Club on Saturday 19 March. Thanks to Mike Dean for his photos, taken at very short

notice.

The Presentation Evening for the Congratulations to everyone! David Beach Awards 2010 was Finally I would like to thank Di Dean held in the Long Room at Somerset for organising a first class event - her County Cricket Club on Saturday 19 March. Around 190 attended, first as Presentations Co-ordinator, representing most of the groups and also Ros Roderigo - her first presentation as Moderator. Our across Somerset who had entered thanks too to Pat Sollis and of into the competition. It was especially nice to see so many course the David Beach Adjudicators. young people there. Carol Kenway – Best Musical Ed Creswick – Best Actor for his SP Direction for Worle Operatic & roles as Jeckyll and Hyde for The venue was first class and we Dramatic Society’s Calamity Jane Weston-super-Mare OS had an excellent three course meal served at our beautifully decorated tables. The red carpet on entering the venue was a nice touch making it feel very “Oscar” like. The presentation of the trophies took place after the meal with myself reading out the nominations, one hundred and ninety five in all! Our Moderator, Ros Roderigo, announced the Winners and our Chairman, David Jenkins, presented the twenty seven trophies. Two new ones have been added as it had been decided to split the Youth Under 16 and Youth Under 21 into Male and Female Simon Duffill who won Best Emily Cross – Best Actress, and Will Howlett – Best Actor under 16 categories. Director for Weston’s production of Best Actress under 21, for her role for his role as Bugsy in Polden Youth Seventeen Highly Commended Jeckyll & Hyde, which also won the as Maria in MATA’s West Side Story Productions’ Bugsy Malone

Certificates were also presented. David Beach award for Best Musical You can see more of Mike Dean’s photos taken on the night if you look at the SFD David Beach Presentation Evening Gallery 6 7 Female Supporting Role profoundly disabling injury on Georgia - And the winners Penny Longhurst as Anita a very successful young model - and the West Side Story Phoebe effect of this on her relationships with her were: MATA Cameo friends (Leon and Lana), with her fiancé Best Musical Bev Priest as Adelaide Aaron, and with her carers, of which we Jeckyll & Hyde Calamity Jane Rees meet two. It also gives some insight into Weston-super-Mare Operatic Society Worle Operatic & Dramatic Society the lives of young professionals and Direction Youth under 21 (male) particularly the tensions which occur

Simon Duffill for Jeckyll & Hyde Sam Rich as Joe Casey Review when four young people live together, Weston-super-Mare Operatic Society Our House Musical Direction Yeovil Youth Theatre especially when two of them are in a Carol Kenway for Calamity Jane Youth under 21 (female) ICIA relationship. Worle Operatic & Dramatic Society Emily Cross as Maria Those Legs The four main protagonists live in the Choreography West Side Story by Noel Clarke house which Georgia bought before her Lorraine Ahern & Dan Healy MATA th West Side Story Youth under 16 (male) Saturday 5 March accident, and the action is mainly set in MATA Will Howlett as Bugsy Adjudicator: Philip de Glanville five rooms on the top floor. And if five Small Venue Trophy Bugsy Malone discrete acting areas weren’t enough of a Jack The Ripper Polden Youth Productions This new play by the writer/director of staging challenge, the writer calls for the Tickenham Drama Group Youth under 16 (female) Kidulthood (2002) and Adulthood final scene (a flashback to Georgia’s life Best Youth Production (2008), both hit films, was one of ten Ellie Hardwill as Sarah before her injury) to be set in a wine bar! Thoroughly Modern Mille Our House commissioned by the National Theatre Clevedon Light Opera Juniors Yeovil Youth Theatre for their new NT Connections initiative Fortunately Nathan has the resources and Challenge Trophy Set - Hired – a “nationwide celebration of young know-how to employ film and so this last Jeckyll & Hyde Beauty & The Beast theatre talent” . section, as well as some of the linking Weston-super-Mare Operatic Society Glastonbury & Street MCS sequences between the 15 scenes, were Chorus Set – Not Hired National Connections has involved Jack The Ripper My Fair Lady projected on a screen above the stage, so about 200 young theatre companies all the play became something of a hybrid Tickenham Drama Group Weston-super-Mare Operatic Society over the country, each of whom chose Show Stopper Creative Lighting between stage and screen, though happily ‘Baggy Trousers’ – Our House Jeckyll & Hyde one of the scripts to work on and present the images never distracted from the live at the various regional Connections Yeovil Youth Theatre Weston-super-Mare Operatic Society action. Male Performance Costumes- Hired festivals. Nathan Webb, who works for Ed Creswick as Jeckyll/Hyde Beauty & The Beast the ICIA at the University of Bath as The biggest challenge the director and Jeckyll & Hyde Glastonbury & Street MCS their student liaison officer, entered cast faced with this play was to engage Weston-super-Mare Operatic Society Costumes – Not Hired Those Legs in the Phoebe Rees as a the audience, and I felt that at this early Female Performance Bugsy Malone – Polden Youth work still in progress, to get some stage in its development it was failing to Emily Cross as Maria Stage Management do so. Partly this was because these West Side Story Jeckyll & Hyde – Weston OS feedback in advance of their entry in the MATA Props regional festival taking place at the young actors hadn’t yet found a way of Male Supporting Role Jeckyll & Hyde – Weston OS Bristol Old Vic on 1st April. projecting their characters and their Barry North as Col Pickering Effects performances . However there was still My Fair Lady The Wizard of Oz – Somerton Dram Soc Those Legs was a brave choice; its main time - and lots of potential - for Weston-super-Mare Operatic Society Sound thrust is an exploration of the improvement, and I shall be very The Music Man– Chard Light Operatic Soc psychological impact, albeit rather interested to hear how they got on at the superficially in my view, of a regional festival in Bristol. PdeG 8 9 show-stealers. For example, when non-sense came from Brian Williams Cloverleaf Productions singing in amongst the audience or and Kevin Robinson as Tallulah and February 16th Cinderella the row of ten tinies, standing on the Tabitha Tightwad, confident stage Jack & The Beanstalk traditional, side walkway and hip- presence from two experienced by Alan P. Frayn rolling to a ‘hula’ tune. The original players. The evening kept on script had some characteristic producing surprises, one of them Combe St Nicholas is tucked away in ‘differences’: a chicken that spoke called Mrs Dogsbody! Cynthia the heart of the Blackdown Hills and Trophy we reach it from the A303 corner at English and drank pints; a bunch of Pether was ‘hidden fire’, playing her penguins given Stand-Up to deliver part with clear-cut conviction. The The Eagle Tavern where we have Reviews and we now have a second set of ‘villain’ was likeable! John learned to be wary of the tall, road Ugly Sisters in the genre. McGrouther using his considerable speed camera!! Safely negotiated, we The final batch of panto We felt for the company on hearing acting skills as a self-assured, wily rolled down the hill to the welcome waiting at The Green Dragon. reviews this season from that Leah Howard, who was meant Black Bart, enunciating clearly and to be playing Jack Tarr the Principal manfully reaching for the high notes Good pantomime is a blend of basic Moderator Ron Roberts Boy, was ill and not available. At in My Way. Able Irena Stoodley was stage skills and magic. Director Ros very short notice, Gemma Hildred, his able-pirate mate Cut-throat Kate. Roderigo ensured both were on show Martock Players & Panto Soc fresh from playing Snow White for Bernard Ledger was given more to at Combe. We witnessed good cue- February 9th YAPS, stood in, operated without a do than his customary cameo as bite from every member of the large Waste Not, Want Not book in hand and gave a very Hopeless Harry and was humorous cast and a chorus that enjoyed An original script by Keith Robinson assured performance. Jill Needy, with it. Keith Chinn was a joy as counter-singing, harmony and had the Parking is always a problem near played by Olivia Fellden was word- Captain Roger Jolly, impressive of energy to make every number bounce the Martock Parish Hall on perfect as a competent Principal Girl. stature and with natural comic off the back wall! For magic we had a pantomime nights. Foreboding Linkmen are supposed to be non- timing. Natalie Rendall gave up story told in UV of a garden behind a followed the memory that, of late stop types and certainly Cheerful being Betty Barmaid to re-emerge as wall and a filigree tree being watered and sadly, the nearby, excellent Charlie Naomi Ireland-Jones was as Morveren, with a bright voice to make a beanstalk grow and grow. George Inn had closed its doors hard-working and energetic as one imposing her well-phrased will on Good ideas emerged like the Health & and, presumably, its car park. So, would wish. Hats off to Oliver her rubbish-strewn underwater Safety pair who checked the joyfully looking forward to the panto Delafeld and Edward Ireland-Jones world. Other parts were played by beanstalk before a properly-equipped that night, it was a joyful bonus to who bravely took on Brokers Men Gemma Kelsall (villager), Jenny Jack was allowed to climb and a cow find the accommodating George re- Rough and Ready despite neither Catling (villager and Midshipman), that produced Malteasers – delicately! opened for business. We parked, being yet teenagers: it takes a lot of Jess Welsh (Flotsam), Simon The script had no running gag of a promised an interval visit and ‘bottle’ – but they survived! Watson (Jetsam) and TWO linkman’s greeting to the audience, perked up. Grandmas are meant to be no- alternating teams of twenty Junior the second seen this Season: what is nonsense types purveying good Players and Dancers. it with these modern scripts? Director Auriel Terrell had us on our advice and calm reason, aren’t they? ‘Perked up’ was justified by the toes during the opening number Alan Frayn gives us two villains, Type-casting for Sue Metcalfe, then. evident delight of that small army of with interesting mock fights in Witch Piccalilly and Rancid the One of the joys of the evening was a youngsters, clearly loving being between the verses and frequently Ratcatcher. Sue Lloyd and Neil Lane six-foot, high-stepping chicken, penguins or mini-mermaids and thereafter with many cast entrances had much in common beside villainy, Martin Bradbrooke comically encouraging each other in through the auditorium. The young great cackles, toothy leers and very consistent and growling out performance. We shared their people of the cast were constant expressive faces. She was painted a common-sense. Predictable comic delight.

10 11 convincingly evil green and he, a with exquisite enunciation and very the good groupings and the busy on a song. We were denied the joy of Tony Hancock look-alike, a smelly- regal bearing. Voices are the press-gang fight Amongst the good Thomasina the cat until a fifth of the looking black, we enjoyed booing common link in the remaining ideas was the split stage, cat looking panto was gone: shame! Another them both. Their would-be serfs, characters: Martin Coates provided up from the bottom of a well and actor, this one with a strong contralto the Brokers Men Snatchet and the giant’s voice, played Principal Boy alongside looking voice to boot – aged 14! King Rat Scarper also had matching ways, appropriately loud; gold-robed down it and then the two of them in a (having finished running the box both Meurig Thomas and John Natalie Wilsher sang beautifully as co-ordinated thigh-slap before a office!) also appeared later, Monica Attree bounced and bobbed about. the harp; and Buttermilk the Cow Snagglepuss-type exit left. Nichols paced menacingly and They sang Bad Guys well, fittingly produced bull-like bellows, always Remember him? The director does : purveyed venom con brio. She was aided by Rancid. Valiantly opposing right on cue! the Brokers Men adopted it too! ably assisted by Bobbin, a 9-y-o that lot was Liz Lane as Fairy The centre page of the programme As Alderman Fitzwarren, Colin Bethany Gooding who aped KRs Sugardust, the soft, sweet voice of invited everyone to “join the cast …at Francis was instantly likeable pacing and competently took over a reason. Sailing benignly into the The Green Dragon” after the show. playing a benign and dithery type but verse of the ‘baddies’ song. Keeping mayhem came Dottie Dibble, Dave Protocol prevented the two of us showed later that AF had a capacity a village ‘eye’ on proceedings, twice, Goodall as the prettiest Dame ever, from accepting but we’re sure that for passion, certainly where his was Patricia Allen, first as the fluttering ‘her’ huge eyelashes with many of the audience would have daughter Alice was concerned. indomitable Mary and then as a the best of them. In true panto done so to say how much they had Aleks Carlyon was perfectly demure leprechaun spokeswoman with good fashion, she failed to have much enjoyed this panto. as the winsome type of love interest comic timing. Also two-hatted was Ian control over ‘her’ two sons, Simple for Megan Bradley’s Principal Boy, Vardy, first as a town crier heard as Simon and Jack. Bob Dunn as the Somerton Dramatic Society the two of them sang their Romantic far away as Long Sutton and then as linkman had great projection, was Matinee: February 19th Duet with spirit – and in English! The a growly comedian Captain Birdsear. utterly confident and worked the Cohesion again shown in the word- Dick Whittington fly in their ointment was Francis audience hard! The bright, sparky perfect support players: a nice cameo by Jim Swain Cawley’s Mr Blogg, threatening them Principal Boy was Abbie Dunn, a and the audience with crouch, Dosy Doris by Amelia Noonan; by Somerton is just up the road from us great thigh slap and a sweet voice, mobile features and quite evil body Jenny Phelps as a lively, sexy, and close enough for it to be very particularly in the Romantic Duet language. Gormlessly trying to help Cockney landlady; steadfast landlord familiar. The better half of this team where both girls had good phrasing him were Toby Weech and Heather and bosun by Joe Swinson; Emily pays to have her hair done there and and tonality. Jessie Cobbledick as Bassett as Brokers Men Thud and Bond and Phoebe Swinson as what’s left of our cash is deposited in the princess was a good match for Blunder, natural, low-key second-set Brokers Men Green & a Somerton bank! liveliness and charmed everyone comedians. Their song was a hoot, Stout; traveller and ship’s mate by with the most winning smile – even This script, with additional material he cod operatic as she relentlessly Luke Brickley and Jasmine Brain as a whilst singing! The palace party by Ian Hurdman, was different in that took the ‘michael’. Nothing low-key traveller. commanded attention in both shop front that pivoted across the about the next one on! Dame Mrs The ‘bank’ link is a bit tongue-in- senses. Chancellor Humphrey was stage (B&E made easy!) and a cat Wittington exploded into the cheek because it allows this tailpiece Richard Roderigo with enough that not only talked but also swung auditorium, en route the stage to say ‘at a Somerton panto we can stage presence to fill the hall, when onto the stage like Tarzan – verbally assaulting audience ‘bank’ on seeing an honest endeavour he demanded silence he got it! He remember him? Director Ian members – including the Moderator! to entertain’. We were not ‘announced’ Martin Coates as King Hurdman instilled cohesion here, Greg Phillips was personality disappointed: this entertainment was Hubert, a deliberately soft-tongued shown in the utter confidence with ‘squared’, an actor with precise honestly very good. comedian with a snorting laugh and which youngsters handled dialogue comic timing and Music Hall attack Continued after What’s On Maggie Goodall, Queen Hyacinth and, on that postage-stamp stage, in

12 13 WHAT’S ON THIS SPRING May 4th-7th Saturday 2nd April CONFUSIONS by Alan Ayckbourn The SFD’s April 15th-16th April 11th-16th CUDOS COUNTY DRAMA FESTIVAL THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE DAY OF RECKONING by Pam Valentine Victoria Hall, Crewkerne at 7.30pm Two sessions – afternoon at 2pm by Gilbert & Sullivan Five short inter-linked plays to make you laugh and evening at 7pm at Kings Wells Little Theatre Pilton Players Pilton Village Hall at 7.30pm (and squirm), from the master of this art. College Theatre, Taunton. The Little Theatre, Wells at 7.30pm Directed by Polly English The planning, and the problems, of putting Adjudicator: This version of the G&S classic. Is thoroughly BOX OFFICE: 01460 74380 on a Village Fete will be familiar to many, but Marie O’Sullivan, GODA updated but keeps the original songs and SFD Concessions tunes. Melody, irreverence, wit and fun for probably not like this! Troupers: lovers of musical theatre - a very funny show! Directed by Alison Ward May 5th-7th SINKING by Les Clarke Directed by Gerald Eyers BOX OFFICE: 01749 890239 MURDER IN PLAY St Gregory Youth: BOX OFFICE: 01749 672280 SFD Concessions by Simon Brett AESOP’S FABLES David Beach entry April 27th-30th Minehead Dramatic Society updated by Kim Esop Wylie SFD Concessions Regal Theatre at 7.30pm Taunton Thespians: HMS PINAFORE Boris Smolensky's budget production of THE TOURIST OFFICE April 13th-16th by Gilbert & Sullivan 'Murder at Priorswell Manor' is in final by Cosmo Johnson SWEET CHARITY Milborne Port Opera rehearsals. Things are not going well, and then Somerton Dramatic Society: by Dorothy Fields & Cy Coleman Milborne Port Village Hall at 7.30pm one of the cast is murdered, on stage! Who THE LAST BREAD PUDDING Bridgwater Amateur Operatic Soc One of G&S’s earliest comic operas, which could have done it? And how? by Nick Warburton Town Hall, Bridgwater at 7.30pm broke new ground in musical theatre and was Directed by Rosie Paterson St Gregory Players: This exciting musical, recently a huge success an international sensation when it first came BOX OFFICE: 01643 706430 SAY GOODBYE TO JILL… out. It has remained one of their best-loved in the West End, has a talented cast who will Phoebe Rees entry by Les Clarke enthrall audiences with their acting, singing works. @2K: and dancing – a show not to be missed. Directed by Sue Pomeroy May 5th-7th THE EDGE by Steve Carley Directed by Sue Pomeroy BOX OFFICE: 01278 662181 HONK! Taunton Thespians: BOX OFFICE: 01278 662181 David Beach entry by George Stiles & Anthony Drewe EDWIN by John Mortimer David Beach entry May 2nd-4th, 6th-7th Worle Operatic & Dramatic Society The Blakehay Theatre, WsM at 7.30pm Tickets £7 per session on the door April 13th-16th THE BOYFRIEND Saturday matinee at 2.30pm GUYS AND DOLLS by Sandy Wilson Based on Hans Christian Andersens’s “The April 6th-9th by Frank Loesser Tickenham Drama Group Ugly Duckling”, Honk! tells the story of poor ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO’S Weston Operatic Society Tickenham Village Hall at 7.45pm Ugly and his quest to find his real mother – an NEST The Playhouse, WsM at 7.30pm Whacky characters and crazy Charlestons enchanting comic musical. by Dale Wasserman Set in Times Square, around a floating crap characterise this charming 1920s musical set Directed by Kate Emmery & Sam Bond Frome Drama Club game and a Salvation Army Mission. Classic in Madame Dubonnet’s finishing school in BOX OFFICE: 01934 645493 comedy where gambler Sky Masterson falls Nice. Will poor little rich girl Polly find Merlin Theatre, Frome at 7.45pm David Beach entry Ken Kesey’s 60s classic comes to life on the for prim salvationist Sarah Brown – don’t romance? Merlin stage to creats a powerful, poignant, miss it! Directed by Felicity Peries NB – don’t forget to get your disturbing and yet ultimately liberating Directed by Robbie Burns BOX OFFICE: 01275 810269 theatrical experience. BOX OFFICE: 01934 645544 David Beach entry tickets for The Cinderella Evening th Directed by Calum Grant David Beach entry SFD Concessions on Saturday 14 May! BOX OFFICE: 01373 465949 14 15 groupings on that tiniest of stages haughty lady willing to be softened. it held a lot of audience and people and, to boot, inventive choreo in She showed excellent timing liked it. We were certainly sad for cramped conditions. Amusing ideas including the delivery of her songs. SMTG having to re-jig their ideas, re- Cinderella abounded, e.g. three sombreros Nanny Fanny was played, flawlessly advertise, lose some of their banner simultaneously thrown from the as usual, by John Robinson, a comic sites and convert a school hall to their wings to set up the song Three personality that would easily fill a purposes. Steve Howarth and Group Trophy Amigos, e.g the Dame throwing the hall four times as large. An incident members worked hard and did well. Chancellor through the air ‘towards’ illustrated John’s long experience: Director-cum-scriptwriter David their wedding! instead of exiting at the end of the Rossington, in adopting the basic Continued The said Chancellor was Alistair ‘ghost’ gag, he realised that the tree- story, had to overcome the absence Murray as Mr Primm, a grim-faced clad ‘ghost’ had fallen, stopped his of a Dame to support the linkman in The Coastline Players pourer-of-cold-water on any jollity, own exit, smoothly picked ‘ghost’ up driving the comedy. He resolved this February 22nd reminiscent of cartoonist Giles’ and sent him off. Villain Deadly by giving the Ugly Sisters and the Sleeping Beauty ‘Chalky’. The later contrast into OTT Nightshade was the imposing Linda Baron some comic opportunities. The by Doreen Moger panto comic was perfect. Joe Tohill Bond with good diction and an even crafted, end result was a good mix of and Liz Bailey were King Jolly and better cackle. A late addition to the panto styles and dance. There were We asked ourselves “How long humour was Compost, Judith James does it take to get to Coastline? An Queen Merry, cheerful, homely memorable moments like the royalty, both with good comic timing. a complete character with comic sensitively lit transition scene ending hour?” “Longer than you think” was face and body language, loved by our answer. It wasn’t – we were No young man would be immune to in the coach moving off or Buttons Clare Hunter’s Princess Aurora, that the kids because she ate worms! gleefully finding THE shoe on the there with ten minutes in hand Joan Hart as Fairy Snowdrop was as before our deadline of ‘15 to irresistible smile lit up the hall and, wrong stairs! The well-integrated which good stage presence and sure of her words as the troupe of juniors provided joyous support as in curtain’, but that didn’t matter dancing fairies, all of whom because it served our high enthusiastic singing, it all added up the well-attacked song Hard Luck Life to considerable girl power. No confidently spoke their given few or the well co-ordinated dancing. expectations of both warm welcome words – even Poppy. and entertainment. wonder Danielle Nelson’s Prince Lady Vipera was first on and was an Nicholas was bowled over at first Why is it that the journey home The impact of the first moment of instant success – we hated her! Carol sight, ‘his’ matching, personable always takes less time than the trip Howarth attacked the part and us with the opening number was a barrage smile reflecting ‘his’ good fortune out? OK, so yes, there’s less traffic, of smiles from all on stage – and incisive projection and an excellent and it was no wonder that their duet but a happy frame of mind has also screech! Fairy Goodheart will be the hall flooded with warmth. To had a touch of harmony. Martin something to do with it. On this director Anne Allen’s credit it was pushed here, we thought, but Rachael Hewlett was the Prince’s ‘man’ night, we happily reflected on both Bartlett matched the projection and an effect that was to last all William, clear-eyed and bright, given welcome and good entertainment. performance long. There was one had other credits in that she sang with not much to say but said it well. Phil good tonality. We needed cheering up cast member that didn’t smile, but Crossland effortlessly ‘captured’ the Shepton Mallet Theatre Group then 4-year-old Poppy Kilduff was and Aaron Moulder as Buttons was audience as linkman Zipper: here February 23rd the very man to do it. He worked the concentrating on getting it right and was terrific energy, well-paced patter Cinderella threatening to steal the show along audience with total confidence, good, and lugubrious expressions that had Original script by David Rossington actors timing and a gift for comic body with our hearts! This well- us in stitches. His energy well- We were sad to hear, earlier this language. Poor Henry Banks had rehearsed, well-paced show had matched by his inamorata Velcro, year, of the flooding of The Amulet. laryngitis and had to watch as the good structure, baddies stage left, positively played by Pat Harris as a goodies stage right and sensible It had its drawbacks as a venue but stand-in director played King 16 17 Charming of Mendip: David The cast and crew took over where and vice versa? Ah, well! The Trevor Ball having a ball (sorry, Rossington, knowing what he had the organisers left off and worked singing was enthusiastic and varied couldn’t resist!) with a strong demanded, naturally gave an hard to be heard in that big, Junior and Robert Hilton, excellent as personality and a relish for evil. He assured performance of posh- School hall. A new venue and an singer of Batchelor Boy, growled through his solo song but it voiced, dim-sighted, regal goodwill. appreciative audience were unaccredited in the programme but seemed fitting and grew on one. Somewhat bullied into the right introduced to music, laughter and worth a mention here! Shannon Riste’s Sprite opposed him decisions by his down-to-earth spectacle. Shepton panto goes on. Nina White fitted the slim-line ‘Wee’ with clear, confident speech and we Queen, lively Chris Jones with Willy Winkle to a ‘T’ and, as cheerful knew, of course, that her pedantic, much stage presence and a joy to Tatworth Amateur Panto Soc as a linkman should be, ‘he’ had a quiet firmness would win in the end. watch. Their son was every inch a February 24th constant, bright smile. A Dame Nothing quiet about The Black Imp, “a Prince Charming, Kayleigh Bartlett Hickory Dickory Dock clomping about in boots had us all nasty piece of work” indeed as the of a strutting walk, great thigh-slap by Norman Robbins smiling even before Neil Gaylard programme promised, Kim Gaylard and a beguiling and constant smile. bounding about the stage with falsetto To get to this panto we happily drove started his well-timed, brave patter. Hardly any wonder that that screech and great energy. King west from Crewkerne along the A30 His strip routine ‘brought the house Cinderella fell for ‘him’, Georgia Neptune (lovely throne) and Fairy past a pub where we have fed our down’. Principal Boy Katie Gaylard Veale using her good acting skills to Snowdrift, respectively Ken Walkyn grandchildren on joyous outings, as David and Principal Girl Emma be the winsome, vulnerable and Natalie Diamond, both applied past Cricket St Thomas Wildlife Park Hodder matched each other, neither heroine. Their Romantic Duet was their caring, gentle powers on the side where they also enjoyed themselves of them at all self-conscious and predictably harmonious. Dashing of goodness. Fairies Rose, Iris and and down to Perry Street where I, their Romantic Duets were a good Dandini aided and abetted the Dewdrop were Brittany Hodder, Fern once upon a time, enjoyed myself blend of voices – albeit in American. romance, Gemma White a good Taylor and Lantis Valentine-Barrat, instructing the local soccer referees. Baron Hickory was a near-villain double for the Prince with good following the trend, remembered their It was therefore a pleasure to be from Beetle-Brow Direct, Robert stature of her own. Jerry Jeremiah words perfectly. back in Tatworth to join other Pendry’s articulate presence being a played Baron Hardup, drifting onto grandchildren expecting to enjoy force to be reckoned with. In true Grandchildren there certainly were stage exuding OTT adoration for his themselves either in the audience or panto fashion, he was hindered and certainly they enjoyed harridan of a wife-to-be, setting up on the stage. rather than aided by Slap and Tickle, themselves whether on stage or on the comic scenario for this talented Tina Legg and Lesley Speed, both the receiving end. We went home To the credit of directors Kim actor with an operatic singing voice. clear-speaking Brokers Men who past CStT and the pub in a happy Gaylard and Lesley Speed, on this, In his wake came Ammonia and strolled through their solo. Jackie frame of mind. the opening performance, the cast Rubella to play on their half-sister’s Legg played the Baroness as a were virtually word-perfect and full of insecurity. Brian Jeffery and Glyn purveyor of common-sense, pouring Puriton Players ‘commitment’, evidence of thorough Webster were totally confident and, verbal cold water over the Baron rehearsal. That discipline was further Matinee: February 26th at times, quite animated. We like when needed. Their lordships’ son illustrated by the absolute ‘freeze’ Babes In The Wood Jungle Book, so enjoyed the snatch Herbert was meant to be a under the villain’s spell and the fast An original script by John Holliday of ‘Dawn Patrol’, we enjoyed the simpleton, never easy to play. Alert exits and scene transitions Whoever decided to move Schools gabby sweepers at the start of the Kieran Riste was given few lines but throughout. Fast change for the cast Half Term week this year? Didn’t they second half (different!) and noted delivered them well and had comic, from UV jellyfish, they took them off realise this is a Six Nations Rugby the variety of the dances on offer, gormless body action when needed. as the lights went up! Small stage, weekend? With six pantomimes for a tap, ballet and rock’n’roll – which The hard core of the piece (in both ok, but what was villain doing at Moderator to visit, it was bound to be we also enjoy! senses) was The Wizard of Bong, stage right in the Sprite’s domain two on the Saturday and, as it 18 19 happened, Wales were playing at fast ‘ad lib’s. Linkman Egbert was returning king rounded things off greeting and a snatch of Bond music 2.30pm. As we drove towards played by 15-y-o Ben Wyatt as a silly with regal authority. at the appearance of the Empress’ Puritonfor a 2pm start, this misfit. Any misgivings at his youth We emerged from the Hall into cold Ideal Man. Welshman reflected glumly that, vanished quickly, he was an but bright sunshine. Inside the hall Rob Chilcott was the down-to-earth without my television support, animated harlequin capable of brave we had experienced bright and Abanazar, a confident villain with a Wales were bound to lose in Rome. but successfully timed StandUp. warm entertainment, hugely enjoyed twinkle in his eye, natural comic Ah! Well! Total actor, total energy, here is a by an audience predominantly of timing and bouncy with it. Anyone Writer-cum-director John Holliday is Star of (now and) the Future. Our youngsters. Twenty of them made it would wish to own a Ring that brought inventive. We opened with a principals were Phoebe Fisher as onto the stage for the House with it Hannah Carolan as its musical parade to introduce most of Maid Marion and Emma Ingram as Number and to win a packet of summoned Spirit. Speaking clearly in the cast which developed into a Robin Hood, she of the confident sweets. What’s more, Wales won easy rhythms, this was an attractive bergomask of events leading to walk and stage presence, ‘he’ of the too! slave with a perky smile. Larger-than- King Richard’s departure to the confident strut and thigh-slap. Both life Widow Twankey was played by Crusades. It included orphans were also adept at believable ballet C.A.R.D.S Stewart Thorne with a confidence that begging of the audience, clever, and non-mawkish romance, their Evening: February 26th delivered Stand-Up in a take-it-or- duet managed to be both tuneful and and a forerunner of Audience Aladdin leave-it fashion. Lee Morgan is tall for funny. The other pairing (to be) were Participation which was not by Alan P. Frayn a 16-y-o and that made for an overdone. Good rehearsal Sam Smith’s Little John with good energetic Wishee Washee. His We skidded back home between produced smiles all round, a superb singing voice and Tina Stone’s Will Running Gag, Kung-Fu stance “Ah! Puriton and Ruishton, in order to cast freeze under spell and very Scarlett, both had established a So!” was consistent to the end. We mark up the one and prepare for the mature performances from the believable link even before Will was expect our Principal Boys to phrase next. We also managed a meal of youngsters involved. Regrettably, revealed as a Willhemina. Matt well and strut with manly confidence. salmon fillet and the news that villains were seen at and even Dearsley’s Friar Tuck looked right Kelle Hebron as Aladdin was all of Wales had won in Rome. What other exiting Stage Right. Oops, have I and, quite rightly, was a benign that and complemented it with a pleasures could the day hold? We mentioned that before, in other figure. The heavy mob were led by decent thigh-slap. Sang well too travelled down the A378 to find out. reports? John Holliday’s Sheriff with very evil towards Lisa Whaites’ Princess body language and slowing delivery, A slave popped out of nowhere and, The Babes in question, Edwin and Mandarin, a winsome creature with a aided by Marcus Trethewey as spot-lit, ‘struck’ a five-foot gong and Isobel, belied their vulnerability by royally reserved demeanour. Chloe languid Sir Guy, less menacing but with spot-on SM-sound support, we their total confidence and being Hector as her Lady-in-Waiting So Shy with a sly humour. Ginge and were in China. Director Chris word-perfect with good cue-bite. was both articulate and beautiful. Her Sprocket were a joy as the not-quite- Roberton made the most of Frayn’s Edward Sloane (10) and Jena Norel poised presence promised future evil-enough Brockers Men. Lucy nudges towards Audience (8) even sang well as each took a competence and no wonder Wishee Bennett and Liza Maguire created Participation including water pistols solo verse in a cast number. (On wished for her! One of the incidental very believable dotty characters with and being a seated chorus for the that evidence, we’re sure that Holly joys of pantomime is the names a great running-gag exit-line. Fairy Laughing Policeman song! Most Chilton as Isobel would have been dreamed up for the Brokers Men. Silvermist with her happy face had immediate was the Dame’s late as good.) Alan Scott as Fanny the Sharon Francois and Stacey Allwood NO difficulty in enlisting our aid, entrance to sit in amongst us Nanny arrived on a bicycle (!!) and rejoiced in Hu-Dong-Pong and Yu- skipping on and off and singing her (loudly) until the director hauled ‘her’ established an instant rapport with Dong-Wong as they competently ran solo well. 16-y-o Holly Saunders’ out of it! Other inventive ideas the audience. His considerable around providing humour. Susann slim-line figure punching well above included acrobatic cave dancers, the experienced showed in good and Parker’s empress was, like her her weight. Dave Clarke as the two Genies doing a ‘high-five’ 20 21 daughter, reservedly royal until the phoning to ensure a meal at the even from where we were sitting! White, certainly most of the village nice bit of sexy acting on being Tytherleigh Arms in time for the Naomi Boxell as Snow White was children were reported to have been presented with her Ideal Man. To panto, the proprietor enthused, girl-next-door-attractive and ‘died’ there that afternoon. The Tytherleigh ‘save a savoury till last’ is a saying “We saw it last night. You’re beautifully. Kissing her ‘alive’ again Arms proprietor got two things right: Chinese habit and in this case that in for a treat.” was Kelly Osbourne as a matter-of- both his meal and the panto were a was Bill Pring as the Genie of the First-time director Jen Boxell had fact Prince Rupert with good tonality treat. Lamp, an ‘Obelisk’-look-alike in certainly picked-up and applied in her solos. Lester (the Jester) was glorious technicolour and with a some good ‘tricks of the trade’ as in scripted as a naïve courtier and Polden Productions fetching grin. More spirits: the lithe children playing children’s games played as such by Andy Perez, his March 18th ones in ‘the cave’ were Natasha during the busy opening, as in persistent laughter seemed Robinson Crusoe & the Pirates Francois, Holly Potter and Katie filtering the chorus on to support infectious. Richard Boxell did well as by Alan P. Frayn Symonshad who had evolved their servant Grant, he had little to say but solos, as in prompting specific The previous Polden pantomime that own interlude and were delightful. was unselfconscious and paid an audience responses early on. Sure we visited, we were enthralled by the The important walk-ons were Jake actor’s attention to all going on touches also showed in well- cohesion of a troupe of boy dancers. Potter, cutting his teeth as a around him. Jane Strawbridge’s rehearsed action and good cue-bite We insisted on their appearance at ‘J.Arthur Rank-type’ gong striker; Maid spoke clearly and in an by principals and well-drilled chorus the Presentation Evening so that the Jazie Potter as the hooded confident, unhurried way. Wishing choreography. That said, shorts as rest of the Somerset panto community executioner and Gary Symons Well Fairy Georgina Dixon was as an alternative to black knickers and a could show their appreciation. It was impersonating James Bond. word-perfect as expected. John tunic shorter than Tudor-length deny explained that they were ‘left over’ Williamson was a scripted, late- We had found the Village Hall tradition and if the script led to the from the prior ‘Oliver’ musical. We coming joy as Wizard Blackheart decked out in Chinese characters in villain at stage right and the Dame were agog this time, would there be a with excellent comic timing and two senses : posters on the wall kissing the King then Doreen Moger similar legacy from the 2010 ‘Bugsy movement. The Animals were Carys and we wondered whether they really should do some more Malone’? were complementary; people on the research. Loved the sliding wings to Boxell, Tabitha Liddiart, Charlie Great care had been taken by director stage and their talent WAS complete the cottage frontage, Portlock, Jane Strawbridge and Ros Dolding to coach her young cast complimentary. We were glad we though! Willian Watson, supporting in in the basics of stagecraft – all of went. Ah! So! Josh Hopson was, like his director, a various non-speaking parts, an ideal them, principals and chorus alike, first-time Dame, called Mrs introduction to stage confidence. were acting their hearts out. Other Chardstock Amateur Dramatic Murgatroyd and, similarly, full of The seven Gnomes were Dorothy evidence of applied teamwork was confidence. Linkman Lucy Down, Williamson, Hannah Billing, Nicola Society there in sets being cleared smoothly named Wot, was imbued with a Boxell, Merlin Dixon, Caitlin March 5th behind continuing dialogue, the whole bounce that was almost manic and a Jackson, Jonathan Milford and Jess Snow White company of thirty swaying in unison voice loud enough to drown out the White. This was a great team, by Doreen Moger Under the Sea and, consistently, ALL band! A king should in command meaning that they were not only of them smiling broadly at the Chardstock is a tiny Devon village and Ady Goff’s Hector most certainly comic but relied on each other in audience. What’s more, Ros’ within miles of Somerset’s southern was a demanding presence. His slick routines such as the thrown production finished spot on 10pm – border. They are welcome in the Queen Eldread was well-spelled, ingredients in a knockabout meal, perfect! competition by virtue of SFDs villain Ann-Marie Dixon is an actress, set to music at that! happy rule of embracing any group her body-language was evil and her Most of the denizens of Chardstock Coral, Spirit of the Seas was Emily denied a nearer, equivalent splayed fingers something to dread would seemingly have seen Snow Thorne showing a confidence well opportunity. That afternoon, when above her tender years. With 22 23 charming smile, clear speech and and Cross-Bones, a duo totally In the second place, the nine pleasant singing voice this was a confident and with good timing. Letters scenes which go to make up the very likeable Fairy. Principal Girl The director stepped into the Island play are very far from Juanita was a bright personality, Queen role Mumbo Jumbo at short vibrant actress Jo Ditchburn with a notice, was greeted with a roar of The Good Doctor unconnected. All are adapted from short stories by the same high-octane smile and a sweet appreciation by the audience and, in I understand that the Taunton voice harmonising in the Romantic short order, established a forceful writer, Anton Chekhov; the writer Thespians’ forthcoming Duet. Sharing that duet was Julie character. Mona Ansen sported the himself is the central character production of Neil Simon’s The Groves, playing the title role as an second fearsome mask of the night and besides delivering a linking earnest, thoroughly reliable, boy- as Hocus Pocus, a hopping-mad Good Doctor is to be disqualified narrative in which he introduces next-door sort of hero. Steve Lukins witch-doctor. The one wordless from consideration for the and comments on the scenes, led the comedy team as the Dame, character was a five-foot Parrot Phoebe Rees awards on the features directly in a major or iclept Margarita Jucilita. ‘She’ was inhabited by Ben Tiller who needed grounds that it is ‘not a play’, but full of confident patter and can no words to generate laughter with minor role in no fewer than five of rather a set of playlets and flutter eyelashes with the best. his comic waddle. The final character the nine. The piece, in short, is therefore not eligible. Dame was also involved in a duet, was a seeming native, scripted as structured as an integrated this one with the Linkman, Nutty comically mute to begin with, who To my mind this decision is whole. Nick, both of them belting away with suddenly erupts into perfect misguided almost to the point of Music Hall attack. The latter was ‘received Oxford’: Rory Taylor was a Thirdly, there are precedents for inexplicability. I have to Ben Lewis, well-suited to his role Hugh Grant look-and-sound-alike. works at least as disjointed falling acknowledge an interest as a since he has bags of attack and Bugsy Malone’s “We Could’a Been within the Phoebe Rees ambit and good comic timing – something that member of the Thespians and of Anything That We Wanted To Be” not suffering disqualification. he shared with his dog puppet! Pete the cast of The Good Doctor; but could today be adopted, with a Three years ago the Thespians Hawkins provided a corner-stone change of tense, by any one of the the grounds on which the performed Alan Bennett’s Talking performance as Captain Seasalt, eighteen smiling, energetic, sparkling decision lays itself open to growling and acting his nautical way Heads, a set of monologues with chorus of youngsters, age range 8 to criticism are purely objective. with good body language. The 15. Polden Productions are in no connection other than In the first place, the published competing gruff voice came from a possession of a rich legacy. authorship, which was not only thirteen-year-old! Jonathan Shipton script of The Good Doctor carries adjudicated but nominated for the played Davy Jones in a Pirates-of- RR on its cover the subtitle, ‘A New Challenge Trophy. I understand the-Carribean wig with crouching Comedy with Music, by Neil Thanks as always for these, Ron that in recent years local societies stance and youthful energy, a mini- Simon’. ‘A new comedy’, not villain commanding terrified respect! – a mammoth task, but very have received adjudications for ‘nine new comedies’. If such an The real villain was enjoyably evil, much appreciated by all of us! productions of Alan Ayckbourn’s Mike Taylor as Cut-throat. He experienced, successful and On the 14th May we discover Confusions, a group of five worked the audience in cockney highly respected playwright as Mr who-won-what at the Cinderella playlets with, if anything, rather with well-modulated venom. Simon chooses to describe his Presentation Evening… Make more tenuous links than those in Brokers Men are supposed to be work as a single play, should we sure you get your tickets from The Good Doctor, but – like The reluctant and inept, both aspects not think very carefully before hilariously captured by Karen Oram your Club Representative. Good Doctor – regarded by its overruling him? and Brenda Grant as Skull-Duggery Ed distinguished author as an 24 25 integrated whole. This was our new Moderator, Alex Webb’s problem when considering The

There is of course a fourth Good Doctor, which he told us is actually BULLETIN BOARD reason, which has nothing to do a collection of short unrelated scenes, with definitions, authorial intent held together by a Chekhov-like narrator, of which Taunton Thespians were or even consistency. Is not the planning to put on nine in one evening. whole purpose of the Phoebe He felt it would be impossible to judge Rees awards to give due this fairly against the other entries in the SFD CONCESSIONS AT THE recognition to the best in local competition. MERLIN THEATRE: drama? And if this is so, should Ron Roberts, speaking as the Area Rep not encouraging the energy and Saturday 2nd Apri l at 7.45pm for Taunton Deane, argued forcefully on DYAD PRODUCTIONS present enthusiasm of local societies be the Thespians’ behalf, but after further a slightly higher priority than discussion the SFD Committee voted to AUSTEN’S WOMEN quibbling over definitions? endorse Alex Webb’s decision. Anna Thirteen of Jane Austen’s most Bowerman, as Phoebe Rees Coordinator, celebrated female characters are Mike Leach pointed out that it was essential that the brought to life by Rebecca Vaughan script was sent to her as soon as possible in a brilliant and illuminating Yeovil th after an entry was proposed (and no later distillation of 19 century feminism Thanks for this, Mike. As you than 4 weeks before the production) and Directed by Guy Masterson probably know by now the SFD that an entry could not be confirmed until Committee have discussed this the script had been viewed. Tkts £12 (£10 SFD concessions) issue at some length so I passed It was decided that the rules of the Phoebe BOX OFFICE: 01373 465949 your letter on to David Jenkins, Rees Competition should be revised to “Stay to supper” option – booking our Chairman, for his response: make it quite clear what constituted “a advisable

Ed play” suitable for entry and Alex undertook to discuss the wording of this

with the Phoebe Rees panel when they We understand Taunton Thespians’ met a couple of days later. frustration with the decision not to accept The Good Doctor in this year’s David Jenkins Phoebe Rees, and acknowledge that there have been precedents in recent Chairman SFD Next month’s SPOTLIGHT ON THE WEB: years – the Talking Heads set of The Phoebe Rees page on the ALL ARTICLES/REVIEWS/LETTERS AND STUFF FOR monologues is a good example. At the website now shows the new THE BULLETIN BOARD TO BE SENT IN GOOD TIME time apparently this gave the wording, as does the Phoebe FOR COPY DEADLINE – THURSDAY 21st APRIL adjudicating panel considerable Rees Competition Rules under difficulty, since it clearly wasn’t one Email: [email protected] ‘play’ and therefore, understandably, Documents & Resources, and an very hard to judge alongside all the other email about this has been sent to entries that year. all the groups involved. Ed 26 27