Brian, the Switch, and the Wardrobe

So with new authors Lavinia Finn and Katie Hoxley, and direction from Katie Hoxley, we move on a generation within the players for the creative genes and inspiration (and incidentally allow the stalwarts of authorship/direction to stand down for a while and just enjoy participation). But the principles remain the same with a slightly zany different look at life and situations with a comedy touch, those excellent tap routines (Jane Temple, Sam Duncan, Jess Tuff,M ichelle Cobbett, Khloe Wright, Jane Stewart, Kate Olby), our favourites doing their best party pieces, and above all those great company numbers which raise the roof with song and dance and make us all feel we should be joining in the fun and enjoyment.

A different style of story with a Pier Show tired and dying to be revived and funded into a thriving success, of course with the various twists expected from a Blakeney show. Introduced by and leading us through the situations, Fen Harrison as Myfanwy (why Welsh in North Norfolk?!) had a change of costume for each appearance and some good comedy lines, we waited to see what came next! With the stage personnel from the pier in the guise of crew and wardrobe, Chris Hoxley, John Radcliffe Marjorie Davies, Peter Franklin (SM who wanted to be a dancer and gave the routine), and owner Merle Hooke, all playing their special characters with gusto, plus the dance team of amazing tappers under the lead of Tilly from Barbara Franklin we were on to a winning time. Add a great ‘running’ appearance of housekeeper from Pooh Curtis with interruptions, and then to the ‘stars’ of the pier: crooner Ralph Wiggins who struggles to finish, comedian Steve Benson who forgets to smile, escapologist Jennie Blowers, a drunken children’s entertainer Dave Buckley and a hula hooper on crutches Erica Roch, and the whole team from the pier entertainment is presented in style and the answer to perhaps a failure, and how we enjoyed their transformation in the second half, and how they enjoyed every single moment in their roles. And the team from London under entrepreneur Dave Long with ‘secretary’ Alison Mawson, accompanied by the ‘baddies’ security team Gail Woodhouse and Iain Mawson, but especially the colourful and extrovert choreographer Brian from Martyn Scott (who definitely stole the second half with the costume in style), and the heartthrob Billy from Walter Plinge; how all these roles just magically gave the theme the change of style and again the twists in a lively production.

All the team of characters contributed to a show which does not really have ‘stars’ and yet is always to be eagerly anticipated as something special and different and talented, and with those great company numbers, no wonder people time their holidays to coincide with the Blakeney show and it is always sold out every performance. Congratulations to all concerned in any guise and this is my ‘special evening of summer’ to look forward to and enjoy so much.

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