Olde Tyme Music Hall

A sad but great tribute to Graham Payne who had been an active member of the Group for fifteen years. He would have been very proud.

The hall was set up with individual tables and it was pleasing to see so many attendees really enjoying their afternoon’s entertainment.  They brought ‘nibbles’ with them and during the interval tea, coffee and biscuits were served.

This is the third OTMH presented giving all members equal opportunity to shine and with the chance to play various acts perhaps never done before.  They have worked as a team, had fun and with the genial ‘mine host’, Mr Dave Bourne, we the audience joined in heartily, singing a ‘stewed prune’ with gusto. 

Opening with ‘Let’s all go to the music hall’ the programme included a Country Collection, Cucumber Song Chorus, a Military Medley, Parlour Scene, Sweetheart Serenade, My Old Man, and finally Cockney Capers. All these community numbers were interspersed with amusing sketches, corny ‘I say I say’ cracker jokes on scene changes either sweeping with the witch’s broom which lost some of its twigs or on the telephone, a cockney rhyming slang sermon, solos, duets, small groups and whole ensemble items, not forgetting the melodrama with the rat Jasper.

The glossy A4 black/white programme was a nice surprise sponsored by local Lifestyle Financial Planners MRA. Depicting an old music hall on the front cover, the programme was well presented, easy to read – particularly the words of the songs to join in with, a running order, advertisements and future productions and a good NODA inclusion. 

Musical Director Margaret played her keyboard with aplomb plus performing in a few items too. I particularly liked the sequel to the story ‘Ohme, Ohmi’ that she narrated, beautifully costumed and so funny with ‘Me Pong’ and the compost heap. The numbers chosen were most enjoyable and all were well rehearsed.  Young Miss Imogen Vernon-Gill performed a delightful ‘How much is that doggie’ and read beautifully ‘The elf and the dormouse’ to her Teddy, whilst Gary Pope made his solo debut with a moving ‘Over the hills and far away’. Rona Morton and Lewis Ikin presented a ‘couple of swells’ and Rona delighted us with her ‘range’ in performing ‘I want to be in opera’.  The new company version of ‘If I were not upon the stage’ was a true winner – executed with precision! Rehearsing must have been hazardous!

Costumes and wardrobe were once more provided by Jac Young with good colour co-ordination throughout, Gary’s military outfit with musket and helmet looked outstanding. The triangular sets were utilised once again looking most effective and were smartly turned by the three stage crew members under SM and sound/lighting man Steven Chapman. Some great props – loved the polystyrene snow and the ‘dusty’ afternoon tea table.  Director Elisabeth introduced the group to OTMH which has given all members the opportunity to be involved in various acts. She ensured full use of the stage, introduced good movement, clear words well-rehearsed and working as a team.  We were invited to participate with singing, hissing and booing etc., and by the reaction of the audience that goal was achieved.

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