Rapunzel

This production mainly featured young performers with a few adults in key roles. It was performed twice on the same day with a mostly different cast in each performance which enabled a very large number of young people to take part. Some actors with speaking parts in the early performance also joined the ensemble in the second performance and vice versa.. However, there were 20 named parts in total giving opportunities to a great number of young people.

The band, directed by Rob Turner, had only recently started to play together and provided good support to the singers.

The set was quite simple but effective and the many scene changes were accomplished with prop changes. This required good co-odination with the plot by Stage Manager Abigail Grimsey and backstage crew and there were no lengthy gaps in the flow.

Dame Dotty Dinglebottom ( Peter Ballisat) quickly established a rapport with the wildly enthusiastic audience who readily joined in with the fun. Danny ( Tristan Williams) and Annie ( Martine Parker-Stone) Dotty's children, played their roles well as they set out to free the Princess Rapunzel from her tower. Prince Namby of Fluffydown-Rainbowland ( Melissa Sloan) was an arrogant, flamboyant character played delightfully by Melissa. Of course there were baddies and Dawn Newton, as Gothel the Black was suitably evil. Mel Jackson as Chancellor Wormblood had some fantastic actions and facial expressions and was impressive in the role. Rapunzel (Araya Jackson) and Young Rapunzel ( Violet-May Stuart-Allen) were sweet and delightful as princesses should be.

There was a really good pairing of Lacey Harris as Queen Gertrude and Casper Lawlor as King Charles with Lacey in particular throwing her voice well. Samuel Jones took the part of Captain.

The fireflies and the fairies bought a touch of glamour with some interesting dance routines and Thunder joined in the fun !

The musical numbers were mostly well known and there were some really strong voices. I especially enjoyed I'm so Excited, I have a Dream and Shine a Light.

Choreography was led by Abigail Grimsey and Emily Littlejohn who were both responsible for costumes and props. Costumes were very colourful and relevant to the characters.

Sound and lighting were provided by The Halstead Empire and both enhanced the production. Sound levels in particular were just right.

There was an absolute army of chaperones to manage such a large number of children.

This was a challenging production to stage with such a wide range of ages. Some were as young as 3 or 4 years old. In addition, rehearsals had been cancelled in the two weeks prior to the performances due to cases of Covid 19 which inevitably meant that the final “polishing” of the production did not take place. However, this did not detract from the feel good factor as evidenced by the enthusiastic audience.

Congratulations especially to Abbey and Emily for bringing this production together considering the problems experienced during the rehearsal period. Congratulations also to the cast and crew. Well done everyone.

We enjoyed the show !

 

 

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