written and produced by Lee Flewitt with an 18-strong cast, plus a bird!
starring, in order of appearance: Alex Rebanks, Piper Collins, Julie Turner, Ilona Soane-Sands, Daisy Doardo, Edward Rowe, Joe Stanley, James Varley, Moira Knight, Hilary Bentley, Tim Butler, Sasrah Pepper, Lucy Casado, Sarah Whyte, Tess Woodnutt, Nigel Soane-Sands, Lee Flewitt and Paddy Campbell. Plus musical quartett Eric Pye, David Stanley, Alex Birch and Rea Gregg.
And if you missed the panto or enjoyed it so much you want to see it again, you can get the DVD. Just released and available for £4 from London House, Victoria Street or by post for £5. Simply email info@alderneytheatregroup.com for more information now.
Below is the review with Alderney Press editor Peter Annereau with photographs by Rea Gregg and Ilona Soane-Sands.High resolution photographs can be submitted to you on request.
"It takes all sorts to make a panto — a cow of many parts, a scheming villain, an old hag, a king and queen, a princess, an ugly giant, rollicking songs and props that go bump on the night. They were all there in Alderney’s pantomime staged by the Theatre Group at the Island Hall this week.
In true Alderney tradition, no pebble was left unturned or local celebrity spared a mention in Lee Flewitt’s script which moved the show along at a good pace interspersed with apt musical numbers, rewritten for the occasion.
The besotted and bespotted Jack (James Varley) was the picture of innocence surrounded by over-the-top characters among whom Julie Turner shone as his mother. The demure Princess Princess (Sarah Pepper) was the shy young thing that caught the eye of the crafty chancellor, played with confidence by Tim Butler. Tess Woodnutt as the Old Hag was outstanding, completely in character right through to her dramatic end with a “dead cat bounce” on the deck.
The beans in the title were to have an hilarious effect on those who ate them and the arrival of the beanstalk was even funnier than planned.
Christmas isn’t Christmas without turkey and the clever idea of having a turkey puppet acting as narrator worked brilliantly in the skilful hands of Piper Collins.
Well supported by a musical quartet, the cast brought off a show full of fun that set the audience up perfectly for the coming festive season."
6 November 2009: Shoo Shoo Baby
This was their 4th performance in Alderney and, as everytime, they were a big hit with the audience.
In their latest show, the Shoo Shoos illustrate cabaret's scandalous and illustrious past with music from Marilyn Monroe to The Velvet Underground and Eartha Kitt to Elvis. Expertly assisted from the piano by Michael Roulston, they gamely took their audience from the revolutionary ferment of Gay Paree and the smoky subversion of Berlin to the Cockney sing-alongs of the London music hall. The show colourfully climaxed with a tribute to the Rat Pack in cabaret's glittering jewel in the crown, Las Vegas.
Shoo Shoo Baby performed to a packed Island Hall ,and everybody thoroughly enjoyed this great show. more info www.shooshoobaby.co.uk
2 & 3 October 2009: A night at the theatre with 2 plays
Alderney Theatre Group and Alderney W.I. claimed the stage for a night at the theatre
In the past, the Alderney Theatre Group and the Alderney W.I. have teamed up to entertain Alderney’s theatre-loving public to an evening of amusing 1-act plays. This year marks the 60th anniversary of the Alderney Theatre Group – a perfect opportunity to bring back this popular “Night at the Theatre” tradition which was repeated on Friday 2nd and Saturday 3rd October in the Island Hall.
"Family Album", a 1-act comedy by Noel Coward, performed by the Alderney Theatre Group and directed by Robin Whicker
Trapped by convention, a Victorian family mourns the death of Papa, a wealthy ship owner. Gathered together in the drawing room on the evening of the funeral, they face a world without his dominant presence, but through the benign influence of Burrows, the family butler, gradually come to recognize that play (rather than playacting) is the key to happiness.
The cast was led by Andree Gaydon Smith as Lavinia Featherway, the eldest daughter, but all the other actors are new to the Island Hall Theatre. Donald Hughes played the eldest son Jasper, with Piper Collins as his wife Jane. Alex Rebanks played his sister Harriet and Mike Gaunt her husband Charles Winter. James Varley played Richard, the scapegrace younger son, Daisy Doardo the youngest daughter Emily, and Robin Whicker who directed the play, also starred as Burrows the butler.
“Home from Home” - a 1-act comedy by Peggy Cannam, performed by the Alderney W.I. and directed by Mary Robertson
“Home from Home” is about five women – all in their seventies – who are all residents in the RESTHAVEN HOME FOR THE ELDERLY. They are waited on by Janet – a younger woman.
But, as you will soon discover, all is not sweetness and light. One particular lady dominates the lives of the others until Janet threatens to hand in her notice. There follows the distinct possibility that the Home may have to close. How the matter is resolved makes a fascinating thirty minutes of theatre.
Both serious and amusing, this play , directed by Mary Robertson, was performed by a 6-strong cast featuring, in alphabetic order: Shirley Goodman, Eileen Kelly, Lin Maurice, Mary Robertson, Jan Walker and Ann Wheeler.
Prompt: Jane Barker. Make-up: Pat Raymond
29 & 30 May 2009: Two award-winning plays performed by the Guernsey Orca Trust
This year, after a long absence, we had the pleasure of welcoming a Guernsey production company to Alderney.
The Orca Trust, winner of the 2008 Adjudicator's award at the British All-Winners Play Festival, Gaiety Theatre, Douglas (Isle of Man), performed two plays on both consecutive nights:
"Laughter in the Shadow of the Trees" by James Prideaux
Martin, a brilliant, distinguished critic, is rapidly falling into a state of dementia. His wife, Felicity, remains the epitome of the supportive wife and loyal fan, even in the face of his insults and peevish behaviour. Their daughter Jan tries to persuade her mother to put Martin into a home, but a silver thread of hope and affection makes it impossible for Felicia to let him go.
A tenacious wife is determined not to relinquish her once brilliant critic husband to an Alzheimer’s hospital. She fights for one last moment of recognition, while he confuses the Aids epidemic with the medieval Black Plague.
One serious play followed by a light-hearted comedy, performed by The Orca Trust, winners of 4 awards at the 60th GADOC One Act Play Festival (May 2008) and winners of the Adjudicator’s award at the British All-Winners Play Festival, Douglas, Isle of Man (July 2008)
"Laughter in the Shadow of the Trees" by James Prideaux is a serous play which captures the last fleeting moments of an ancient marriage with excruciating honesty.
And, after the interval, a light-hearted comedy by David Tristram:
“ The Extraordinary Revelations of ORCA, the Goldfish”
For Henry Smith – actor, comedian, raconteur, sporting hero, leading socialite, business tycoon, secret agent, Casanova and acting President of the United States – life was rarely dull. For Alice Smith – housewife – life was rarely anything else. Enter Michael – French Waiter – tall, dark, and available. What happened next? Ask the goldfish!
A brilliant night with excellent performances.
3 &4 August 2009: Alderney Week - The Taming of the Shrew
As every year for the past ten years, the Rain or Shine Theatre Company's performances was one of the highlights of Alderney Week. Their unique adaptation of Shakespeare's play entertained and delighted the audience.
Traditionally - the performance is preceded by a pre-theatre picnic.
Play Reading of George Bernard Shaw's:16 April 2009:
You could be forgiven for suggesting that performing a “Play Reading” is for those who can’t remember their lines. Not so. Imagine somebody reading a book to you and, instead of having to imagine the characters and personalities portrayed, a cast of actors does it for you. For the cast it means just a handful of rehearsals before the actual performance takes place – with few props, but possibly a few costumes to set the scene.
On Thursday 16 April, immediately after the AGM, members of the Alderney Theatre Group were treated to a play reading performance the Alderney Theatre Group who chose George Bernard Shaw’s comedy “Arms and the Man”, a satire about war and love, set during the 4-month-long Serbo-Bulgarian War that occurred between November 1885 and March 1886.
Brilliantly read and enacted by the 7-strong cast, the story in brief: Raina Petkoff (Alex Birch), a young Bulgarian lady is engaged to Sergius Saranoff (Lee Flewitt), one of the heroes of that war, whom she idealises – that is, until one night, Bluntschli (James Varley), a Swiss voluntary soldier in the Serbian army, bursts through her bedroom window and begs her to hide him so that he is not killed.
And from that moment on everything changes, in particular relationships – starting with Sergius who suddenly declares his love for Louka (Tess Woodnutt), Raina’s maid who ends her relationship with the much older loyal butler Nicola (Rupert Street), and everybody ends up happy, including Catherine (Moira Sleeman), Raina’s snooty nouveau-riche mother and Major Petkoff (Steve Waddicor), an amiable, unpolished buffoon. And if you wonder why Nicola – left out in the cold, is happy too - that’s because he’s been offered a very well paid position as hotel manager by Bluntschli who, it turns out, has inherited a chain of hotels from his father.
That’s it in a nutshell, but with plenty of humour, romance and hilarious situations. Confused ? Then why not read the play in your own time.
However, the audience enjoyed the performance while tucking into their chicken and basket supper, and so, clearly, did the cast.
The History of Theatre: 25 November 2008
Traffic of the Stage Theatre Company, in association with The Rain or Shine Theatre Company presented "The History of Theatre" Show - a light-hearted journey looking at theatre throughout the ages, starring Jillian O'Dowd, Meg Meagher, James Reynard and Andrew Cleaver.
Traffic of the Stage would like to acknowledge the following for their contributions in helping to bring the 'The History of Theatre' to Alderney: The States of Alderney - Educational Trust; Blue Islands; The Alderney Theatre Group; Reynard's the Jewellers; Tickled Pink; The StockExchange and St Anne’s School .
Review by James Varley – editor of the Alderney Journal and Alderney correspondent for the Guernsey Press. Go to www.alderneyjournal.com
"A light-hearted look at the history of theatre was performed at the Island Hall in late November.
Directed by Alderney-born James Reynard, The History of Theatre documented famous plays from Ancient Greece to the modern day, via scenes from Medieval Morality, Commedia Dell’arte, Shakespeare, Victorian melodrama and Oscar Wilde.
Traffic of the Stage, in tandem with Rain or Shine, produced the performance, which lasted for more than two hours.
Knowing that audience participation was high on the agenda, the writer of this column perched himself on the edge of the front row. I hoped my seating tactic would lead to the actors approaching those situated in the middle of the audience. However, my reverse psychology plan was foiled inside three scenes.
“I’m getting a strong feeling there’s a James in the audience and I think he’s sat in the front row,” said one of the actors, who was dressed as a cherub.
Damn, thwarted again. I tried to feign innocence and even looked at the radiator behind me, to make it seem as if there was another James on the front row, but it was to no avail. I was ushered on stage, given a halo to wear and told to sing in an extremely high pitched tone.
Local artist Paddy Campbell, a man who adores getting up on stage, had joined me before the singing began, as had a young lady from the back of the audience.Paddy jumped feet first into the performance, singing beautifully as I attempted to hit notes that only a dog could hear.
The actor playing God was obviously none too impressed with my singing, as he entered into a red-faced tirade which ended, I think, with the words ‘burn’, ‘in’ and ‘hell’, being shouted at me from point blank range. However, whatever God’s thoughts, it was a fun few minutes on stage and proved only to be the start of the audience’s part in the evening.
Mike Gaunt, head teacher at St Anne’s School, was regularly called into action and even performed a sketch with one of his pupils. Mike also took a leading role in the final act, which involved the majority of the crowd. The actors performed A Christmas Carol and relied on many of the 70-strong audience to contribute with various sound effects. Mike produced a stunning grandfather clock, while several others got to grips with howling wind and Christmas cheer.
Our table was asked to make the noise of clanging chains. Some improvisation was clearly needed and it was provided by Paddy, who scraped his wine glass against a table leg, my girlfriend Sarah tapping her fingernails on the table and me striking the aforementioned radiator.
Director James praised our efforts but didn’t award us the bottle of fizz that had been offered for best performance. That prize, quite rightly, was given to birthday girl Meg Meagher who performed a great show alongside her colleagues Jillian O’Dowd, Andrew Cleaver and James Reynard.
Think No Evil Of Us: My Life With Kenneth Williams: 2 September 2008
The other side of the coin..
Mention the name Kenneth Williams - one of Britain’s most entertaining actors, brilliant raconteur and mimic, and automatically the ”Carry On” films and that famous “Oooh…. Matron!” catch phrase spring to mind. And you’d be looking forward to an equally hilarious evening of entertainment with David Benson’s award-winning solo show “Think No Evil of Us: My Life with Kenneth Williams” at the Island Hall on Tuesday 2 September.
However, from the very beginning, the audience was somewhat taken aback by this remarkable and very moving semi-autobiographical show. Enacted with great talent by its author David Benson, he portrayed the real Kenneth Williams at his funniest and most badly behaved - the personality of a highly complex man: vulnerable, insecure and capable of breathtaking cruelty. A witty, well read, poetry loving and highly intelligent man and, at the other extreme, as the dinner guest from hell, the infuriating old queen, always looking for love but unable to accept it and who in the later years had, little time and much contempt for his public.
Throughout the evening, the storyline kept coming back to David’s extraordinary connection with the Carry On” star. At the age of thirteen, David wrote a story for the Jackanory Writing Competition – and won. He dreamed of having his story read on air by his hero, Spike Milligan. But to his dismay, it was read by the campest man in Britain: Kenneth Williams himself. As Benson explained: ” For a boy attending a Birmingham comprehensive school – and struggling with his own sexuality, not to mention a mad mother – the Williams connection was to prove something of a burden. What fascinates me above all is Williams’ ability to continually redeem himself by turning his private torment into blistering comedy.”
The show was funny, shocking and disarming. There were hilarious moments when David gave us an insight into his schooldays and the impersonation of his Birmingham headmaster, asking the audience to participate in the hymn singing. But it wasn’t laughter all the way. In fact, during the final act, quite a few ladies in the audience reached for their hankies to dab their eyes. “It’s tragic and it wasn’t what we had expected”, was a frequently repeated comment.
The following morning, David headed off for his first ever performance in Guernsey and he hopes to be back in Alderney with a different show in the not too distant future. Again, expect the unexpected.
The Winter's Tale: 4 & 5 August 2008
During Alderney Week, on Monday 4 and Tuesday 5 August, The Rain or Shine Theatre Company which has been ocming to Alderney for many years, performed a superb adaption of Shakespeare's "The Winter's Tale" in the Gardens of the Island Hall.
Abigail's Party: 8-10 May 2008
The greatest TV play of all time written by Mike Leigh - was performed live on stage at the Alderney Cinema in May 2008, starring Alex Birch, Tess Woodnutt, Steve Waddicor , Julia Turner and Lee Flewitt.
Extracts from the Alderney Journal's review by editor James Varley: "... and a fine show it was too. Waddicor, who also directed the black comedy, excellently portrayed his character, a workaholic estage agent with an interest in finer things in life, while Birch cleverly portrayed Beverly, a middle-class, middle-minded tom Jones fan locked in 1970s suburbia.
Angela Beverly's new friend was played by Tess Woodnutt and her performance stole the show. Lee Flewitt took on the role of Tony, Angela's husband and his subtle style fitted in well alongside Birch and Woodnutt. Sue, the mother of Abigail, was played by Julie Turner and her performance was also well-received.
The play was aided by an impressive set and numerous props which looked as if they'd been plucked right from 1977." (Alderney Journal No. 897 - 24 May 2008)
The decision to produce this challenging play on stage here in Alderney was taken in autumn 2007. Coincidently, earlier in 2008 the original TV production of “ Abigail’s Party” with its original cast, was again screened on television
Shoo Shoo Baby: 22 November 2007
Shoo-ing Stars brighten up grey November sky.
The Island Hall was absolutely packed on Thursday 22 November, as an appreciative audience was treated to the world premiere of ShooShoo Baby’s latest cabaret show “Delicious”. For the third consecutive year, Shoo Shoo Baby has brought a brand new show to Alderney and anybody who had been to one of their previous performances, was eagerly awaiting their return. Virtually all tickets had been snapped up within the first hours of going on sale and demand was such that the Island Hall could have been booked out for a second night.
The terrific duo, Tanya Holt and Anna Braithwaite, this time accompanied by singing and dancing pianist Michael Roulston, gave their slickest and most entertaining performance ever. All are highly accomplished and versatile professional entertainers who, at this year’s Edinburgh Festival, played to a full house and reaped raving reviews from the media (The Independent declared it “The Pick of the Week”) .
However, all the glamour and old-style pizzazz, the hilarious dance routines and funny facial expressions could not deter from their beautiful voices and superb harmony which came across every song and climaxed with their heart-rendering aria from Puccini’s “Madame Butterfly” which left the audience quite stunned , with lumps in their throat.
Alderney has embraced ShooShoo Baby. They like the island and they will be back, to another full house next time – possibly for two nights running. Now they’re off to continue their busy touring programme which will take them across the UK and as far afield as Nassau in the Bahamas. You can follow their progress on www.shooshoobaby.co.uk. Meanwhile, until Guernsey and Jersey decide to invite Shoo Shoo Baby to perform on their stage, Shoo Shoo Baby will continue to be the Alderney exclusive in the Channel Islands. ENDS
The Twelfth Night
Performed on 6 and 7 August, this adaption of Shakespeare's 12th Night by the Rain or Shine Theatre Company was hailed a great success.
An Inspector Calls - 19 April 2007
Police investigation at the Georgian House
On Thursday 19 April, the Georgian House Orangerie was the scene of an investigation into the tragic death of a young girl and the investigating inspector was quick to point the finger at members of a highly respectable family from Yorkshire.
The play-reading of J.B. Priestley’s “An Inspector Calls” was performed by a 6-strong cast who had the audience spellbound. And an unexpected twist at the very end of the performance took everybody by surprise.
The play, set in 1912 and first performed in 1946, was performed by John Russell, Andrée Gaydon-Smith, Alex Harrisson, Gary Marriner, Steve Waddicor and Robin Whicker.
Shoo Shoo Baby - December 2006
They were back for another Channel Islands exclusive here in Alderney with their latest cabaret show "From Berlin to Broadway". The fantastically glitzy and glamorous singing trio, Shoo Shoo Baby, combine dry humour, rich harmonies and pulse-racing costume changes in their colourful cabaret shows. No theme tune, jazz standard or pop song is safe from their tongue-in-cheek treatment or quirky interpretation.
From Berlin to Broadway recreates the smoky mood of the notorious Kit Kat Klub. The show features songs by Kander & Ebb from the hit musicals Cabaret and Chicago and numbers made famous by Marlene Dietrich such as Mack the Knife and Falling in Love Again. It climaxes with a tap-dancing chorus from the audience and ShooShoo Baby's hilarious multi-lingual rendition of New York, New York.
What made it so special is the reference to local Alderney issues, like the incinerator, and with plenty of audience participation, it was a very lively eveniing.
Needless to say, the show was a sell-out and they've promised to be back in 2007 with their brand new show "Delicious".
A comedy written by Jonathan Hall and produced by Steve Waddicor
Miss Grantham doesn't have long to organise the School nativity play. But Joseph is more interested in kiss catch, they're down to two wise men, the innkeeper thinks he's Doctor Who, and the donkey's head keeps falling off.
A nostalgic visit to Christmas as it used to be. Did you desperately want an Action Man or a Barbie Doll, an Etch-a-Sketch or a Space Hopper? Did you Watch with Mother or listen to Slade or the Osmonds?
Did Father Christmas let himself in the back door with a magic key?
For anyone who just couldn't wait for them to light the last candle on the Blue Peter advent coat hanger thingy.
It's a comedy, it's a love story, it's very funny and it poses the question: Do we ever grow up???
Starring (in alphabetic order) Alex Birch, Lee Flewitt, Alex Harrisson, Steve Waddicor and Tessa Woodnutt. And, by popular demand, this comedy could well be back in the Island Hall in the near future.
To view the video clip "My Best Friend's Wedding" click on the YouTube image
Dick Whittington - The Panto: 8-11 February 2006
Written and directed by Lee Flewitt and performed by a 36-strong cast of the Alderney Theatre Group, this pantomine was an absolute hit with the audience.
The tale of Dick Whittington is loosely based on fact, like most of the stories one hears on Alderney. He did journey to London and become Lord Mayor, and he did establish several charitable institutions which exist to this day.
However, Lee Flewitt's version of this classic tale begins many years ago, during the reign of Queen Victoria the Second. There were no motorcars and no aeroplanes back then - there weren?t even liquorice allsorts. One winter's day on the island of Guernsey, a child was born into a world of poverty and woe. But that's Guernsey for you?.
This was home-grown entertainment at its very best - great music, fantastic dance routines, and a very funny script with insults, innuendos and double-entendres flying, leaving few of Alderney's politicians and other prominent residents unscathed.
You can now order a DVD of this show for £5 and a CD of some 200 digital images taken at rehearsal, behind stage and on stage (£3).
To order, visit www.alderneytheatregroup.com/dvds.php
This pantomime was sponsored by Lloyds TSB. The programme was sponsored by the Belle Vue Hotel.
ShooShoo Baby 'Winter Wonderland': 8 December 2005
A 100-strong appreciative and enthusiastic audience was treated to one of today’s slickest and ‘sexiest’ Christmas cabarets at the Island Hall. The trio – Tanya Holt , Anne Braithwaite and Craig Schneider - delighted the crowds with a sparkling performance of a vast repertoire of Christmas songs , as well as unknown gems from the 1940’s, some pop songs, dance even tap dance routines.
The audience was invited to take part in an unusual rendition of “On the Twelfth Night of Christmas” and ultimately to prove their creativity in a drawing competition. The accompanying pianist Craig Schneider is a professional jazz pianist from Melbourne who has a wonderful voice and a great talent for tap dancing. For more details click here
Trafalgar - the Death of Nelson : 2 July & 4 August 2005
A one-act drama and re-enactment of the Battle of Trafalgar, written by Charlotte Newton to commemorate the 200th Anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar, directed by Charlotte Newton and Gail Gregg and performed by the Alderney Theatre Group Two open air performances of this spectacular drama attracted hundreds of spectators and received enthusiastic reviews.
Both Trafalgar performances were sponsored by Wave Telecom. The programme was sponsored by Fairline.
Gladiator - The Pantomime - February 2003
Written by Lee Flewitt - directed by Charlotte Newton
Produced by the Alderney Theatre Group
21 January- 1st February 2003 at the Island hall
Little was known of the history of Alderney during the days of the Roman Empire's occupation of this part of Europe, when the Roman's were at war with nearby Gaul on the French mainland and used our small island as an offshore prison camp where they built a great games arena, akin to the Coliseum in Rome or Beau Sejour in Guernsey. This was where enemies of the Roman state met their bloody ends. Such was the savagery of the local games that word eventually reached the ears of the Roman Emperor, a jaded tyrant named Julian Stentorius, and a Royal visit was secretly planned which prompted the rise of a unifying influence among the queens of Riduna, who began to stir up revolution in the hearts and minds of the local people. The pantomime was based on hysterical facts, and the rest, as they say, is mystery.
This pantomime was dedicated to the late Ken Thompson.
