Hansel & Gretel

This afternoon the hall was packed with Rainbows and Brownies and how they raised the roof! A happy atmosphere in the hall and, after purchasing raffle tickets, I took an excellent viewing seat to be transported off to the village of Pumpernickel depicted by a most attractive Bavarian style village backdrop. The unseen voice of  the Wizard was spoken by Shaun Ford. Bea Dixon introduced herself to us – a  colourful, cuddly Dame Do-Good who is charged with looking after young Hansel & Gretel ready for adventure who live together in a small cottage. Do-Good only wishes to help others but worries as she is unable to pay her rent to the very nasty, mean Sir Rupert de Rottweiler, Mayor of the village - smart in frock coat and topper and performing this role Dave Bourne convinced us to dislike and boo from the very start. Children of the village go missing and it is Attrocia the Witch and her evil ways enticing them to a magical thatched gingerbread house and devouring them causing great fear to the villagers. Was this to be the demise of the two children who wandered into the forest to collect blackberries for Dame Do-Good? Played by Margaret Punter in dirndl style black outfit complete with apron, sporting striped tights and green face cackled and encouraged the audience to boo and that they did in loud response.

The terrible two were mischievously played by grown-ups Lyn Ford as sensible Hansel in pants and cap and more adventurous Gretel by Jac Young who skipped around in her dirndl frock, swinging her  basket with her hair tied in bunches, both obviously enjoying themselves.

The romantic couple of the story Karl the forester was played by Lewis Ikin who sang  superbly particularly ‘Morning Star’ and teamed with delightful Imogen Vernon Gill as the young villager Lucy Lockett. Imogen Beale, jolly in blue dungarees and, with rosy cheeks, hair swishing, got the audience shouting anytime anyone wanted to press the ‘button’ set at the corner of the stage, was Dickie Dymwit. More cracker comedy came from the slapstick duo Damien Ansermoz as Potz with Val Yates as Panz. John Search in his beret was in fine ‘oh ah’  voice as a villager probably a farmer as he was off muck spreading!

A lot of work had gone into the sets and props by the design and construction team in creating the various locations – the Great Forest, the witch’s kitchen with red glowing oven, but the gingerbread house covered with tempting large sweets and candy canes was just great and was painted beautifully by Malcolm and Margaret Atfield. 

Margaret Punter was responsible for the good costuming and Gary Pope and Clem Collins were the stage crew, although Gary appeared in a non-speaking role as the surprise wonderful large blowup ballet dancing Gingerbread Man –  the children and I just loved him.

Effects and freezes worked well as did the ghost frightening scene the children loved to scream at. Direction and music was arranged by the Director Shaun Ford with a good mix of songs accompanied by well cued prerecorded arrangements including ‘Spread a Little Happiness’ ‘Happy Talk’, ’We are the Champions’ and ‘My Best Friend’ - Hansel & Gretel’s duet. Thank you to the interval tea ladies and the usual raffle table was well organised and to all the LCBP members for their input putting smiles on everyones faces.

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