Robin Hood and the Abba Silver Disc
Information
- Date
- 25th January 2014
- Society
- Felton & Thirston Panto Society
- Venue
- Felton Village Hall. Northumberland
- Type of Production
- Pantomime
- Director
- Mary Walker and Alison Rushby
- Choreographer
- Catherine Walker
This is the first time I have been to one of this society’s Pantomimes, and I was given a very warm welcome by Grace Ainsley. It was a small village production and the hall was packed with a lively audience. I was not sure what to expect with seeing ‘Abba’ in the title, but soon all was revealed by the very lively and witty Jester, Abbalan A’Dale, played by David Hindmarsh. It was a written script cleverly edited by Alison Rushby and Neal Skelton, and gave us an evening of fun, entertainment and a chance to continuously sing along to the Abba hits which we all love. The sets, props and cloths were good and cleverly made by society members to very good effect.
This was a very novel production with the unusual inclusion of ‘Abba’ and ‘Bingo’. The whole Robin Hood story was enriched with Abba hits, projected discretely above the stage so that we could sing along as we were all encouraged to do. Another theme running through the show was Robin’s love of ‘Bing’ so that also produced a few surprises, which went down well with the audience.
No ‘Good Fairy’ in this show, but the alter ego ‘Dancing Queen’, played hilariously by David Price in a very loud Abba costume! He informed us at one point how mad he was to accept the part, and that brought the house down. The show went at a lively pace and the set changes were slick and colourful. The principal line-up all played their parts to the best of their ability and were supported by a good chorus of children who were well drilled and on the stage most of the show, so had a lot to do. They spoke their parts clearly and obviously enjoyed themselves.
Mention must go to Neal Skelton who, as ‘Prince John’ admirably held the show together having had his part changed and hearing of the change when climbing to ‘Base Camp Everest’ and had three weeks to learn it. He should be commended for his efforts. He was a good actor and worked well with the audience, creating a really good ‘Baddy’ and being well and truly booed! All the cast sang along to the Abba hits on backing tapes and I suspect some had very good voices so I look forward to hearing them in future productions when prompt and musical director Alison Rushby works her magic with live music. Catherine Walker made ‘Robin Hood’ a striking character and moved well and had a nice singing voice. Bea Barnes, playing ‘Made Marion’, was an enthusiastic girlfriend for Robin. The comedy in the show was clever and in the form of the ‘Soldiers’, played by Anne Raine, Sue Fowler, Jethro Nichols and Ben Reed, and they played well against the peasants, and it was lovely to see so many youngsters taking part and being encouraged by the more adult and experienced cast.
This was a real community evening and the team effort to put this show together is a real advert for village life and what can be achieved within two villages namely Felton and Thirston. It was lovely to meet you all and see how enthusiastic you all are, and you are to be commended for your hard work in making this a very pleasurable experience for all who attended.
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