|
Christmas Pantomime
THE SCHOOL'S Christmas concert which took the form of
a pantomime under the title 'Snow White and the Seven
Dwarfs ' proved an excellent evening's entertainment, and
was from the first curtain a great success. Written and
produced under the capable hands of Mr. Newton, he made
it more interesting by giving it a distinct Goldings flavour.
The show was introduced by Mr. Newton as the Good Fairy
(vital statistics 40-40-40) which as the evening progressed
was no indication that he was a straight actor, and there
followed the introduction of the cast in an attractive
Woodland setting, designed and painted by Mr. Sheppard the
stage manager, each actress and actor presenting themselves
to the audience in rhyme. From then on the fun started, and
The very laughable antics of the voluptuous Dame, played with vigour and fun by an experienced Mr. Powell, and
the charm of Snow White, played most effectively by Josephine Sheppard, had little effect on the hilarious behaviour
of the Seven Dwarfs who, under their disguise—which was
cleverly applied by Mrs. Stackwood, capably assisted by
Mrs. Powell—were none other than M. Justice,
C. Bishop, B. Hyland, S. Denton, M. Cashmore, D. Holmes,
and D. Pike, and their task was only made easier by the
timely interruptions of the Villian played with great gusto
and terror by Mr. Stackwood, who seemed the only one
capable of controlling these irrepressible and mischievious
gentlemen.
The first main scene showing the dwarfs in school
brought a complete surprise, when the good fairy giving a
dancing lesson to the class called for her 'Corps de Ballet' to
give a demonstration, and on to the stage tripped five of the
staff wives, Mesdames D. Millar, E. Newton, D. Maslin,
R. Sheppard, and D. Tordoff, in authentic costume of the 1920's to give a vigorous and spirited display of the
Charleston. Never have wiggles, jumps and stomps earned such well deserved applause. At the end of this scene
Prince Charming in the shapely form of Christine
Stackwood made his appearance together with his two
handsome pages, and was introduced to Snow White, with
whom he promptly fell in Love.
As the show progressed the villain tried hard to outwit
the Prince for the hand of Snow White, but the dwarfs using
all their natural talent frequently interrupted to thwart the
course of true love, and so allying themselves with Snow
White's page.
Many sections of the show call for description, but perhaps
if we remember such scenes as the dwarfs being put to
bed by the Dame and Snow White; the Dame and Villain
tying themselves up with a deck chair at the seaside; the
custard pie delivered in Dame's face by an over enthusiastic
dwarf in the breakfast scene; the parson played with such reverence by Mr. Jones who did eventually marry the
right couples, much to the disgust of the Villain who finished up wed to the Dame. The fine solo and choral singing,
which was aided by the efforts of the chapel choir
throughout the show and was the result of much hard work
by Mr. Mondin, the pianist, and Mr. Goodger, the choir
master, this panto will be one of those shows never to be
forgotten.
On the afternoon of Tuesday the following day the show was
put on as a special performance for the Old People of
Hertford, who were brought to the gymnasium by coach and
sat throughout the afternoon with happy tears of laughter
streaming down their faces. At the end of the show their
representatives thanked the cast and all those responsible for
giving them such a wonderful afternoon, and with this they
included the tea which was served to them during the
interval.
Finally a word of thanks should again be extended to all those who did the hard work behind the scenes, few of the
departments escaped being called upon for something. The local Scout troop were most helpful in lending a number
of costumes and much time was spent by the sewing ladies in
repairing, altering and even making more costumes, the
'carps' were called upon to give their skill in making props,
the school art club gave valuable assistance in helping to
paint the props and scenery, the electricians who had many
demands made on them for lighting effects, and many others
who willingly gave time and effort to help.
As for the audience, surely the rafters of the gymnasium have
never rung so loudly as they did to the lusty singing of those
who joined in the chorus of the Goldings song.
Since the cast of the stage show seldom have the chance to see
themselves 'as others see us' ours was more fortunate than
most, for a few weeks after the show Mr. Wheatley kindly
invited them together with all others who had taken any part
in it, to see the colour transparencies which he had taken of the pantomime. Needless to say these were extremely
good, and many were the hoots of laughter which rang out as one member of the cast after another was shown in
a comical posture.
F. S. S.
|
