A Christmas Package

The introduction number was outstanding in conception and execution: just loved the opening rhythm section of glasses on table and brooms on floor into that excellent tap routine which is always the hallmark of a Blakeney show. I must also congratulate, again, the great ‘band’ section which always livens up the proceedings with the toe-tapping music chosen with care to match the action (we could spend an even longer time just listening to them).
 And there we were in the first venue of that Christmas package on its way across part of the world: a fine skyline of London and once again this company shows the talents in the scenery department. This ‘Thunderbirds’ sequence was great fun with those amazing human puppets giving the action and the story of intrigue and espionage to move the package across the Channel and onwards. Chaffeur Parker (Ralph Wiggins) and Lady Penelope (Sam Duncan) with associated characters Scott, Virgil and Brains (Dave Buckley, Peter Franklin and Dave Long) did indeed manage to outwit those theoretically in charge of security played by Martyn Scott, Morris Arthur and Gail Woodhouse. Not being familiar with Thunderbirds I am certain that I missed some of the finer points of the plot.
 And we moved to Paris with another excellent set and bringing the package through an aging pop star (Graham Colombe) and acolyte (Kate Olby) past the secret service girls and police (great to see Martyn Scott changing nationalities throughout with a change of uniform) and encountering M. Chevalier (Dave Long) and Mme Troll (Sue Matthews). And throughout both these sequences in the first half, and indeed in the next venues of the second half, we had these excellent cameo character roles, the singing, the dancing, timing and comedy: in fact all the specialities we come to expect from this company as they enjoy themselves.
 Yet another excellent set and another bridge for Venice (and a gondola of course): and what fun for gondoliers, for the dancing girls Francesca, Martini, Cinzano, Campari (Marjorie Davies, Kate Franklin, Jennie Blowers, Jane Temple), the entire Italian grouping of good and bad characters and policeman (again) to join in and sing lustily as ‘John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John’ in ‘Summer loving’ and raise the rafters of the hall. And of course we waited for, and were not disappointed in the Steve Benson rendition of ‘O Sole Mio’, always a treat for the ears. And just when we thought the Italian fun was over, up popped a Punch and Judy act from Peter and Barbara Franklin in true traditional comedy and quite vicious style.
  Finally to Moscow (another set) and the unravelling of the plot, the meeting up of the different characters, and delivery of parcel which turned out to be a Santa Claus to give colour to a dismal winter: certainly the furs and songs and movement gave the flavour of Russia, yet another sequence to show off the many talents of the group and certainly they seemed to have such fun and enthusiasm for life throughout the evening.

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