Silchester Players

Wild about panto

'PANTO AT THE OK CORRAL', performed by the Silchester Players, at Silchester village hall, on Friday, January 25, Saturday, January 26, Friday, February 1 and Saturday, February 2

A panto set in the Wild West?  Well, why not?  As Silchester Players proved beyond all doubt last week, cowboys and indians can he just as much fun as Cinderella and Buttons, and they're better at line dancing too.

'Panto at the OK Corral' by Jim Sperinck is a hilarious variation on the traditional formula, but with all the usual interaction and sparkle.

The plot revolves around Clint Westwood, who arrives in Deadwood Gulch, searching for the evil Sheriff Small Holding, just in time to catch the ruthless lawman trying to throw poor Winnie Pegg and her family off their ranch.  All kinds of mayhem ensue, before the sheriff is finally called to account for his wicked ways.

As the Dame Winnie Pegg, John Coffin gave a colourful, if slightly nervous performance, while Darren Lerigo, as her son James the Jessie, struck up an instant rapport with the audience, and brought cheery enthusiasm to every scene.  The young romantic leads, Nicola Bratt as Clint and Jessica Miller as Jane, both came across with impressive confidence.

The sheriff, played by Tony Oliver, and his henchmen Butch Casserole and the Sun-Tanned Kid (Brian Gillett and Keith Graham) worked together brilliantly, whether leading the audience participation song, miming to 'When will I see you again', while disguised as extremely dubious young ladies, or simply thwarting each others' attempts to appear mean and menacing.  A fine comic trio.

There was a great cameo performance, too, from a deadpan Alan Moorhouse as Big Chief Running Bear, a particular favourite with my children.  Lyn Davies as Diamond Lil, Geoff Murrell as Buffalo Bill and Jill Hutchins and Hayley Sitton as Buttons and Bows all added to the Western style and colour.

And let's not forget Mandy Larby and Sharon Macdonald-Grute as lightning, one of the most expressive pantomime horses I've seen in a long time!

Special credit must go to director/choreographer Sarah Oliver for the variety and polish of the chorus numbers.  Silchester is lucky to have a strong junior contingent, oozing with enthusiasm, and it's great to see them all getting a chance to show what they can do.

'Panto at the OK Corral' continues this weekend.  I thoroughly recommend it.

Chaos in saucy Silchester

'CHASE ME UP FARNDALE AVENUE, S'IL VOUS PLAIT', performed by the Silchester Players, at Silchester Village Hall, on Friday, October 18, Saturday, October 19, Friday, October 25 and Saturday, October 26

There's nothing like a good French farce; and 'Chase me up Farndale Avenue, s'il vous plait' is, altogether now, nothing like a good French farce.

In the fourth of David McGillivray and Walter Zerlin Jnr's cycle of plays, the formidable members of the Farndale Avenue Housing Estate Townswomen's Guild Dramatic Society ate presenting a 'comedy très saucy' in honour of their visitors from France.  Nothing goes according to plan and the performance deteriorates into hilarious chaos, with every performer playing two or three roles (which rapidly become confused), and the terrified wardrobe mistress standing in at the last moment, script in hand.  But, with unshakeable resolve, the Guild members battle on to the bitter end.

Good farce is hard to do; deliberately bad 'farce within farce' is harder still.  But Silchester Players provided a terrific evening's entertainment, and brilliantly captured the spirit of the play.  Caroline Norton was very well cast as the commanding and totally unflappable Mrs Reece.  Paula Luke provided some hilarious moments as the moody Thelma, including an impromptu musical interlude with washboard and spoons.  Ian Hartwell was excellent as the hapless stage-manager and reluctant performer Gordon; and Hayley Fitton, the youngest addition to the group, showed tremendous promise as Felicity, who throws herself enthusiastically into her roles despite directorial disapproval and malfunctioning props.  Janet Taylor was a real joy as Minnie, the costume assistant dragged on stage at the last moment, who fumbles her way through her lines while continuing to sew on buttons and entangle herself and everyone else in balls of wool.  Finally, Jill Hutchins and Brian Gillett, as Miss Farndale and her irascible assistant Norman, made a brief but effective appearance in character to conduct the raffle during the interval.

A striking aspect of Kevin Belcher's production was the care taken to create the right atmosphere front of house, with the auditorium carefully prepared with French decorations, background music, and tasty nibbles for the audience.  It was, though, a very small audience, and this group never seem to attract the numbers they deserve.  The play is on again next weekend so, if you live nearby, pop along for a great evening out.