Best of British

The Tingdene Entertainers have been in existence since 1981 and over the past 40 years they have entertained The Finedon public and surrounding areas with a variety of imaginative productions some written by their members and some by the more famous. This production was invented by the talented production team headed by the show’s Director and Musical Director Dinah Stevenson. Superbly assisted by Choreographer Georgia Westley and the mini orchestra including Frank Angwin, Scott Freeman and Kevin Griffiths.

With the Queen’s Jubilee Celebrations underway, it was agreed to honour her majesty, with a musical tribute using the music, songs and humour typical of the fantastic reign of seventy years. That honour was firstly introduced to the audience with a huge crown decked with a royal purple cap, gold cross, ball, and arch, cross patty emblems, fleur-de-lys and jewelled band. The whole stage was well decked with purple wings and tributes. Did this get the audience into the mood? Oh yes it did! In true musical hall tradition many patrons were holding regional flags and wearing other items of British identity. I noticed flags from all United Kingdom territories including the big four and one or two not so big.

The introduction by the entire cast was not only spot on musically, the choreographer had obviously worked hard to incorporate the cast on the relatively small stage. All dancers appeared to be synchronised and the singing urged the audience to take part. Following the introduction the gap between main events was filled by two beefeaters and on occasions others. The Beefeaters were first introduced by Henry VIII (father of the first Queen Elizabeth) who permitted these chosen men to eat as much royal beef as they could. Well these two Beefeaters didn’t have time to beef for they were joined by a very similar Queen Elizabeth II who tried to keep them and us in order!

It is impossible to name all the cast and crew of this brilliant evening’s entertainment that I took great pleasure in joining in with most of the songs. However, I do have to make a special mention of June Johnson the Tingdene Entertainers Chair who not only introduced me to the cast but had a stage slot despite only just having had a knee replacement and of course Dinah Stevenson who created the musical magic of the evening that made all of us cheer and wave flags. Well done all.

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