From Bootle to Benidorm

Written, Directed and Choreographed by Stella Reardon...this is a story about a group of pensioners
who relocate to Benidorm having decided that they want to be ‘teenagers’ again.  The question is ‘will
their bodies allow them to and will there be romance in the air’?

Yes, this musical did have a leading man and a leading lady and a number of supporting roles, but if I may be so bold as to suggest and I hope I don’t offend anyone by saying this, but I do believe the ‘success’ of this production was down to ‘collective togetherness’ to ‘team work’, to everyone just giving of their best, working together and supporting each other throughout!

Having said all that, ‘yes’ we did have a leading man ‘Bill/Billy’ and a leading lady ‘Amanda/Mandy’ played by Alex Sinclair and Clare Hyams respectively. Both created great believable characters who worked really well together.  They first meet whilst Bill is on holiday in Spain, but as the holiday ends so they thought would their romance. But fate takes its course and when Bill’s family decide to move to Benidorm to live, they want to take ‘Dad’ with them, but they want to ‘relocate him’ in a ‘Care Home’ in Benidorm. Bill, is not happy!  He persuades two mates to go with him and when they arrive at the Care Home he finds ‘Mandy’ already a resident there...things are looking up; will ‘blossom bloom’ again – NOT without a few hiccups along the way!

The ‘Care Home’ is littered with so many ‘flowery’, ‘larger than life characters’ who together brought this musical to life......

Linda Hansen was excellent as ‘Gigi’ a ‘Care Home Resident’.  You really couldn’t take your eyes off her when on stage. An ‘Over the top’ character, ‘Loud’ in every sense of the word...be proud Linda!

Pauline Barry took on the role of ‘Kazi’ ...the ‘bitchy one’ the one who didn’t need a friend....the one with a deep secret! Well cast, so believable and a ‘perfect fit’ for this role.... well done!

‘Lucy’, a Care Home Employee; was played well by Tracey Brockett. This was Tracy’s first ever role...you would never have guessed!  Good characterisation and stage presence, be proud Tracey!

Pauline Delamar made the part of ‘Harriet’ her own.. the fun loving, ‘runner, tennis playing, yoga enthusiast’ who had us in stitches and almost took ‘eyes out’ with that ‘tennis racket’.... well done

‘Roger and Jean Brown’ played ever so well by Jason and Heather Sinclair.  The ‘Typical English Couple’ abroad....’Why isn’t it more like England’, ‘What No Mushy Peas’ ‘Are they liking their time in Spain’ ...’NOT REALLY’ I hear ‘Jean’ say!  Congrats to both of you on your ‘first roles’.

As stated above, ‘EVERYONE’ contributed to this production....there was ‘Ruth, Tony and Gemma’ ‘Bill’s Family’ played by Caroline McAdams, Anthony Pennington and Gemma Dutton.  ‘Maggie and Kate’ played by Sylvia Doyle and Joan Ashcroft...two more Care Home ‘inmates’.  ‘Petula  and Mary’ played by Sarah Henshaw and Megan French two more Care Home Employee’s.   

Who could forget ‘Bill’s Mates’ – ‘Smithy and Russ’ played by Simon Rice and Mick Ryan (PS: Mick’s never been to Benidorm  ... but he’s driven through Bootle a few times apparently).  Then there was our ‘Bevy of Bingo Beauties’ ‘Flo and Mabel’ played by Marian Yates and Tricia Suter and ‘If you need anything fixing quickly’... don’t call ‘Pete and Travis’, the ‘world’s slowest handymen’ played by Michael Goodwin and Jonathan Edwards!

That leaves just three... ‘Joyce’ played by Julie Hennesey, another in her debut role...again be proud!  Our ‘Care Home Leader ‘– ‘The Boss’ Mrs McDuff played by Pat Howard and last, but certainly not least...‘The Major’ ‘Elvis reincarnated’ – played by Robin Leyland.

Towards the end of the production ... ‘KAZI’S SECRET IS REVEALED’... 48 years earlier, at the age of 16, she had a baby which she gave away!   So after ‘belly laughing throughout’ and even though we probably knew what was going to happen.... we had an ‘out of the blue - tear filling moment’ as KAZI is reunited with her long lost daughter...... guess who?  - ‘LUCY’!!   The re-unite scene was really well enacted, a real ‘lump in throat - tear in the eye’ moment!   Well done ladies.......

A single, minimal set was used throughout which worked and was handled well by Colin Wilson and his Backstage Team. The Lighting (SSDJ Events UK, Chris Bell and Nathaniel Sinclair) was simple yet effective.  In an attempt to be ‘constructive’ and I hope I don’t offend, there were some issues with the ‘Sound’.  We had a few ‘quiet moments’ when those using ‘personal mikes’ couldn’t be heard, plus when the backing tracks, being used to provide the music, were used, they slightly over powered the singers...it didn’t spoil the overall performance but did detract at times! Dancing and choreography was simple yet effective...well done again to Stella Reardon. Costumes were ‘apt’ and in keeping with the times.

How to sum up ‘From Bootle to Benidorm’.... Well, for me, this was Waterloo and Crosby Theatre Company at its best! ‘No Aires, No Graces’ just folk giving of their best and thoroughly entertaining those present... ‘WHAT MORE DO YOU WANT, WHAT MORE CAN YOU ASK!

PS: On the Friday evening, whilst on his way to the venue, the ‘Sound and Lighting Engineer’ was involved in an accident and couldn’t make the performance.
So without a replacement and having little or no idea how to work the tech equipment...what do you do?   Well, what ‘Waterloo and Crosby Do’ is leave it as long as possible hoping and praying for a miracle and when that doesn’t happen you send your Chairman on stage to explain to the 250 present ‘What had happened and what the options were’..........

THE OPTIONS:
‘We do our best with what we got’ or ‘We pack up and go home’ Guess what happened.........
Using a ‘small music box’ used during rehearsal for the music, with no personal mikes, and with limited lighting, the show went on........ congrats!!!!!!

Thank you so much for inviting my wife and I and for your hospitality throughout.  I look forward to your Youth Show in July and your pantomime later in the year....see you all again soon.

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.