Sleeping Beauty

Sylvia and I were delighted to be invited back to High Green after a two year gap , the society having to cancel Annie The Musical twice during these unprecedented times .

The society must be complimented for grasping the opportunity to start up again , with a  restricted  rehearsal process and succeeding in opening on the 7th .Dec.

High Green MTG is a true example of a Community Theatre group , with many generations of families involved, not just on stage but making costumes , set creation , selling programmes and raffle tickets ,providing drinks and much more . Once again we were made very welcome by Frank ,thank you . 

We were saddened to hear of the loss of Audrey Shipley, a founder member from 1948 ,who enjoyed taking on a variety of principal roles and then producing for many years thereafter . We send our condolences .

We both enjoyed your version of Sleeping Beauty along with a News Desk very clearly performed by Graham Swallow , with the usual storytelling mixed with local interest nonsensical news items , great fun . 

I don't particularly like writing a who's who about  shows because without everyone's contribution you have no production at all but compliments must go in abundance to Caraboss ,Rachel Marshall, who not only managed to liven up the audience with the boos and hisses but produced and directed along with having the vision to undertake  the  Choreography of the panto We also understand she had quite an involvement in the writing process . I hope you will get a well earned break after this week . .  . Muddles  played by Ben Shipman , the silly billy of the show , what can you say .... such wonderful expressions , a high energy performance and managing to deliver so many classically bad panto jokes with a straight face. Along with some well thought out scenes with your  larger than life Nurse Tickles played by Jonney Glaves  who lit up the stage with his outlandish costumes , full on performance and ever present stage awareness along with the many interactions with the audience . The Fairy Godmothers ,Flora Fauna and Merryweather , the names leading to the thought of a  kitchen recipe for a plum crumble !!, So Ruth Catherine and Alan well done and I loved the boots Alan . You worked really well with each other  , with some wonderful singing and acting along with ..... When I give my little wand a shake ........, , The King and Queen , John and Becki worked well together with some lovely cameo pieces , and not forgetting our love interest Aurora and Prince ,Lylah and Abby ,I thought you fed off each other really nicely and I very much enjoyed your singing and overall performance . 

WHO SAID YOU ARE TOO OLD TO GO STAGE ............Harvey Kay ....a founding member from 1948 , in the role of the Equerry so well done not just for still being on stage at the tender age of 97 , but for the years of commitment to HGMTG . The society should be so proud of you .

The ensemble including many young performers added to an excellent  evening in true panto style . A simplistic set worked really well  with the usual sprinkling of panto specials , baking scenes ,singalong , ghostly magic and  we particularly enjoyed the green sheet scene and many more .

The three piece band played really well , and the lighting was well thought out . 

A little thought for your young ensemble .. you did really well .,We all know how hard it is to  go on a stage and  in front of an audience  but remember we are all there to support and encourage , so keep smiling as when you smile the audience will smile with you .

Thank you all . Enjoy the rest of the run , 

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