Radio Crimplene

A change this summer to a different author/director and hence a variation to the zany and quirky and funny slant to this production written to exploit the talents on stage of the Blakeney friends group. My big disappointment was the absence of the big tap routine, always such a star in their productions.

Back to the 1960s and a pirate radio ship stranded on a sand bank off Blakeney and waiting for a high tide: Radio Crimplene and it’s music and style to remember and enjoy.

The augmented band gave a great account of the toe-tapping music and raised the tempo in the hall. The sets, as usual, were excellent with the radio studio scenes and the deck of the boat. A fan base in the audience formed a cult to cheer the stage crew with their movement of the railings each time. Again the costume team need to be congratulated for their flair and imagination and period style of the many costumes, a feast for the eye.

In the radio studio to the DJs: the long haired flower power from Peter Franklin (Cringie) and David Buckey (Sonny) as they wandered through the action and scenes and linked the numbers. Also holding forth with interviews and politics on work, the two presenters Gail Woodhouse (Gloria) and Barbara Franklin (Angel) who definitely has a very good opinion of herself and her power. And fun and lightness in the pinkness of Popsie Sunshine the weather girl from Jane Temple.

Visitors to the station, star from USA and heartthrob Micky Morningstar News, Martyn Scott dominated when in view and definitely a star. Accompanied by his over-protective girlfriend India (Jennie Blowers) fending off the excited fans.

On the boat, Dolly Bird the tea girl, Erica Roch, desperate to make her mark and be famous as model or actress, and the many costumes always changing; Morag Lloyd as secretary, Mike O’Kane as producer Roger, and camera man Tim Williamson in the team. And another visitor for the interviews, film star Elizabeth from Alison Mawson looking very glamourous and star-like and leading ‘Down town’, accompanied by manager played by Iain.

Reviving an old pop group for the station and performing in great style and voice, the Fluffy Cookies of Dave Long, Marjorie Davies, Merle Hooke and Ralf Wiggins (substitute).

Not certain how they got on board, the five members of the Fan-base were full of energy and dance, making their presence felt throughout as they waved their placards for Micky and chased their way through all the action with their precision dance steps. (Jane Stewart, Sam Duncan, Jess Tutt, Michele Cobbett, Harriet Duncan) What fun with this group.

And finally found on deck after a search, the two protestors Sue Andrews and Rosie Edgington

The usual convoluted and mixed storyline, those numbers all so well performed with great energy, the dance routines on time, the feel of all friends in fun and enjoyment, this is Blakeney and again not disappointed. So sorry to hear that two society members not enjoying good health and fingers crossed for recovery.

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