OLIVER

 Early in 1986 auditions were called for a community production of the musical “Oliver”.  The criterion for audition was that you had to sing a piece of your own choice accompanied by piano.  The was a lot more difficult for some people than you might imagine.

This musical was a huge undertaking run by both a director (Joel Beskin) and musical direct (Liz Smith).  It boasted a 10 piece orchestra and a a cross section of the community on Stage that has not been repeated since.  A total of twenty musical items were performed with many people moving between roles.

More than thirty people assisted with back stage and front of house and many on-stage people had off-stage responsibilities.

The musical ran a total of six shows only one of which was a matinee.  I can remember discussing at rehearsal what we would do if no-one turned up – a problem that never arose.  We were filled to capacity for every performance with one local gent, now deceased, paying (happily) to attend every performance.

It was a huge commitment time wise, with both acting and singing rehearsals.  A goodly percentage of the cast were children and wrangling them to endless time.  We had to use the Red Cross room as a dressing room as we couldn't possibly fit everyone off stage.  Owen played Mr Bumble and I had a couple of smaller parts as Nancy's friend, Bet, and also a milkmaid.  We had 3 “Olivers” so as not to exhaust anyone.  To read the cast list is to read a who's who, and what are they doing now, of well known mountain people.

At the time it was the best fun to be had around – to do it now would probably kill me; it was, after all over 20 years ago.

Cath Buckley 

 Below is the programme for Oliver; for photos of the show go the Gallery Page.

Murder in Company

Directed by Brian Franklin

Written by Phillip King and John Boland

Opened in May 1992.

CAST and Crew

Brian Franklin (Director), Jim Kelly (Stage Manager?), Dierdre Kilpatrick (Phoebe), Michael Davis (Smith), Lisa Pols (Patricia), Robert Wilson (Phillip), Kay Nunn (Margaret), Brett Thompson (Alan), Cathy Buckley (Doris) and Owen Buckley (Ronnie)

Sex and Other Frustrations

by ??

Directed by Julie Young

Robert Wilson and Lisa Pols star in the Act 1

Ian Young and Jennifer Bacia star in Act II

Jim Kelly and Lois Godliman star in Act III

“Oh, no she isn’t!” “Oh, yes she is!” Cinders tells all!

What a delight it was to sit in the packed audience at the Zamia Hall and listen to the cries of joy and laughter at “Cinders, the true story”.

David Tristram's pantomime is designed especially for theatres with limited resources. It replaces elaborate scenery with a fun-packed and innovative script, re-working the classic Cinderella tale with a few delightful twists.

It may be for theatres with limited resources, and, let’s face it, the TMLT certainly falls into that category, but what it lacks in money it certainly makes up for in talent.

What a joy it was to see so many new (young) thespians strutting their stuff and obviously enjoying themselves into the bargain; we are so lucky here on the mountain. Brian Franklin as the (now distinctly greyer) director certainly pulled a rabbit out of the hat with this show!

Where to start with the bouquets is difficult really. Should I start with Baroness Hardup (Karen Higginbottom) and the fact that, shortly before the first night, she tore a few ligaments in her leg, or perhaps Hairy Godmother (John St. Clair) who strained his ankle and wasn’t able to do his pirouettes? Did that stop them from going on? Did it heck! No! Like the troupers they are Karen went on complete with crutches and John gritted his teeth and adjusted his dances accordingly.

I loved the placards encouraging the audience to participate (not that they needed much persuasion!) and enjoyed the red caped chorus who would floated on and off stage whenever a song commenced.

The individual actors were well cast and on the whole voice projection was good. I would have liked to see the traditional thigh slapping, but that is probably showing my age, and many readers will more than likely have no idea what I am talking about. To the uninitiated the Principal Boy, in this case Prince Charming, would lift his bent leg and slap his (her) curvaceous tight covered thigh with gloved hand.

The live music supplied by Michael Davies, Big Bad Bob Wilson and the inimitable Kay Nunn added a much appreciated dimension to the show.

Where does one start in mentioning Kay Nunn? A stalwart of the Little Theatre who always throws herself into the thick of a show? I suppose it might be easier to say what she didn’t do for this show, she painted sets, organised the licences for the music, was involved with set construction, props etc, etc.

When it comes down to it, though, a show like this, with 17 cast members, needs team work, and, with the miniscule backstage area of the Zamia Theatre it’s essential!

To sum up: the actors were great, the music was great, the front of house was great, and the atmosphere was exciting. Could I recommend it? You bet I could!

Let’s hear it for the Traditional Pantomime! Hip! Hip! Horray!

Barbara

March 2006