Picasso!

I was delighted to visit Blakeney on a beautiful summer’s evening, to be warmly greeted by Sue Andrews, and was completely bowled over by the passion and professionalism of this community theatre group. The village hall was full to watch Michael and Sue Andrews’ latest hand penned production, “Picasso!.” Sue told me that the script writing and work for their 2 shows a year is a team effort taking up most of the year. The costumes and sheer numbers of them are all from their in-house wardrobe and were stunning. To complement this, the set, which went from an office to a pub with a countryside landscape with river and railway, to the conservatory within Bullet Hall, and an attic, was meticulously painted and dressed. The use of the stage space was a prime example of what can be done within a small venue to create the desired impact. But it was the creative eye and attention to detail that was used during these scenes that really stood out:

Gavin (Iain Mawson) appeared to arrive floating in on a punt on the river, just in time to deliver the first of a series of intertwined musical numbers delivered by various members of the cast throughout the show. Next to follow was the announcement of the arrival of the “11:42” train by Frank, as a tiny train appeared out and back into a tunnel built within the rear image of the rolling hills, very funny. As if the tiny train was not enough, later in act 2, as Gavin was stuck on the train tracks with a train approaching, I was astounded as the front of an almost full-size train stopped right in front of them. Capping it all off was a hilarious scene conducted in the style of a silent movie, with the cast being chased around by a large bull that had escaped the field.

The story is based around a tale that the lady of the house at “Bullet Hall”, Prunella Bullet, tells anyone that will listen, that she once sat as a model for Picasso. This story is used by Mr Baxter, the accountant of Prunella’s husband, Claud, to his advantage.

With a large cast of 20, the characterisations were very good. Peter Franklin, as Lewis Fitzparker, was the consummate “Cad” as the shady art gallery owner, trying to sell on a fake Picasso painting to an American Billionaire, Elmer J Nickeldriver. I enjoyed Peter’s performance of the song “Sky Blue Shirt and Rainbow Tie.” Marjorie Davies as Prunella was the eccentric lady of the Manor and had the audience singing along to “Que Sera Sera.” Dave Buckey as Einstein, and Barbara Franklin as his wife Shirley, provided some humorous moments, Einstein being a cross between Del Boy and an ex East End gangster, and Shirley purposely made to look like Dolly Parton. However, it was Jennie Blowers, as Angie, the downtrodden secretary of Fitzparker, who took over and delivered the song “Jolene.” Erica Roch as the accountant Baxter started off as a serious character, but then lapped up the ensuing chaos and drinking going on at the Manor, as his plan unfolded to dispose of the painting, very well done. As the pub landlady, Monica, (Morag Lloyd) appeared as the genial host, but then hilariously threw her brother out, the audience feeling sorry for Gavin, who entertained the audience by leading in numerous numbers and joining in on my favourite “End of the Line,” with Frank, the railway worker, ( Pip Banham) , and Einstein. The fashion editors, Venetia (Jane Temple), Nina (Jane Stewart), Tanya (Michelle Cobbett) and Claire (Jess Daynes), added colour and humour to the plot.

Dave Long doubled up as Claud Bullet, and Elmer J Nickeldriver, a complete contrast in characters, the first being the very English owner of the Manor, and the second a Donald Trump lookalike.

Alison Mawson, as Emerald Loveday, and Harriet Duncan, as Lydia, her daughter, kept the story moving along and provided key links between scenes.

Completing the supporting roles were Merle Hooke (as Helga the artist), Gail Woodhouse as Muriel, Sam Duncan as Bridget, and Neville as Neville.

It was left to Harriet Duncan to lead the whole cast into the final number, of 42nd Street, as the company finished off by delivering a tap routine. Supported by a 4-piece band, Gill Mellor, Terry Bunting, John Pryor, and Jerry Cox, it was a very enjoyable evening.

 

 

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