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The Hardington Players.

The drama group of the village of

Hardington Mandeville, Somerset, England

NEWS : Our last production.......

CANTERBURY TALES – THE PANTOMIME February 2011

Playwright Jim Sperinck’s version of Chaucer’s 1380s masterpiece introduces some characters from the tales within a plot based on the Squire’s hunt to find a magic story, win the hand of the Princess and overcome many obstacles put in his way by the Franklin and his men. In truth, the Franklin, expertly played by Andrew Middleton, is not ultra villainous and somewhat hindered by his henchmen, court jesters Elsa Hedges and Karen Clotworthy, a comic duo who made the most of their parts, encouraging the capacity audience to boo and hiss at every opportunity.

Alan Grassam and Jane Blomfield, the King and Queen, were suitably royal, whileTanya Ogden as the Princess displayed all her considerable acting skills, wooed by the Squire, a very fetchingly attired Maggs Soulsby, who swaggered swashfully. Hovering in the background as the royal family made their first appearance was a subdued Wendy Simmonds, cast as the Queen’s maid. However, an actress of Wendy’s talents cannot be silent for too long, and it was soon apparent she was to be the ‘good fairy’ necessary in all pantos. Her comic timing and interaction with the audience were spot-on as usual. The other stalwart with the gift of comedy was, of course, Dame Kevin Margetts as the Wife of Bath, filling and overfilling his extraordinary range of dresses and hats.

Not until the third scene were we treated to the outstanding performance of Karen Brown as the Miller, so disguised in make-up and voice as to be unrecognisable. She also appeared as a hilariously over-the-top redcoat at Knight Dan Wells’ holiday camp castle. It was a pity not to see Dan until the second half - he made a charming knight, so charming that he wooed and won Kevin with little difficulty!

In the castle lurked the polished David Beckley as a magician with a band of sorcerer’s apprentices. To Grieg’s In the Hall of the Mountain King the most appealing little wizards ever seen on stage or screen made their appearance and completely bowled over the audience. These same youngsters, Molly, Caroline, Sophie, Bethany, Polly, Toby, Megan, Rachel and Catriona had also been piglets and chicks in the Miller’s farmyard, and I have to single out the two smallest fluffiest chicks because they were especially enchanting. The chicks’ Big Daddy was John Soulsby encased in yellow padding, who only has to arrive on stage for the audience to start tittering. Twins Harriet and Isabel, as Hubert and Watt, bandied lively repartee with the court jesters.

The adult chorus did their bit to make this show such fun, and the Hat Dancers - Karen Brown, Elsa Hedges, Jayne Jones, Anne Lunt, Helen Parrott, and Elaine Peters, led by the very able Julia Beckley, executed a high-spirited routine. I must also mention two of the younger members of the cast, Maia White as the Reeve, and Nicky Downey, who has graduated from the junior chorus to a small speaking part with great confidence.

As with all Hardington’s pantomimes, nothing could happen without the herculean efforts of the backstage team. Jack Clotworthy and his stage crew of Lucy Gibbons, Andrew Brown, Trevor Cherry, Craig Hayes and Jamie Knibbs, excelled by being totally invisible and inaudible - no mean feat. Jamie also played half the horse Pegasus behind mettlesome Clare Middleton. Derek Richards always dreams up inspired set designs, and this year was first-rate. The costumes, masterminded by wardrobe mistresses Cecilia Dack and Jackie Gilmore, were truly amazing and added greatly to audience and cast enjoyment. The make-up team of Allison Evans, Charlotte Fry, Liz Raymont and Judith Wilkins achieved spectacular results, especially with the Miller!

Elaine Peters is always an excellent musical director, and Helen Spearing and Jim Lefeuvre handled the numerous lighting and sound effects smoothly and efficiently. Last but not least, director Julia Beckley and producer Anne Lunt put together a most entertaining show for us with great expertise and organisational skill.

Leigh Hunt, author of Abou Ben Adhem, wrote 150 years ago: ‘He that says he does not like a pantomime, either says what he does not think, or is not so wise as he fancies himself. He should grow young again and get wiser.’ He would have loved our Players’ panto of 2011!

Sally Norris

Links to Past Productions:

2010 Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves

2009 Not The Hardington Pantomime

2008 Death in the Ring A Murder Mystery

2008 Jack and the Beanstalk