The Farndale Avenue Housing Estate Townswomen’s Guild Dramatic Society - A Christmas Carol

We met bossy, self-important Mrs Reece (Barbara Hardwick) frequently interrupting the play and the stage crew to give her opinion and issue irrelevant instructions. From the beginning she works her way around the audience apologising for the late start of the show, due to the rest of the cast being stuck on the A12 due to traffic. She hilariously gets the people to promise not to go off to the nearby pub, asking them not to tell anyone else about the delay. She holds court throughout the show and also plays Tiny Tim, Fred’s Wife, A Gentleman, Mrs Dibley, and the Ghost of Christmas yet to come. This experienced actress holds the whole show together with her comedy and timing. Just how she had the energy and pace to be all those characters and learn all those lines was a real tour de force. A great performance.

Heidi Hamber, playing Scrooge and Thelma, is another experienced actress. She has much fun with both of these characters; her character is determined and self-confident. She played the role of Scrooge with vigour and fortitude, the amusing incident with the huge upright bed was a scream. The big power struggle between her and Mrs Reece was well done with the intent on keeping the show on track while competing for supremacy.

Michael Howard also has a multitude of characters to play – Gordon, Jacob Marley, Mrs Crachit, half the Ghost of Christmas Present, Ghost of Christmas Past, and Mr Fezziwig. Some very funny moments when as Marley he is stuck in the door and constantly hitting Scrooge with his chains. Often getting things wrong, as he struggles throughout with all of his characters and is a joy to watch.

Glynis Yates also plays Felicity, Half the Ghost of Christmas Present, Fred, Little Fan, and Old Joe. Some funny moments as the snowman that gets knocked down, her dance as Fred around the Christmas Tree and her miming to Gordon’s voice as the top half of the Christmas Present. I did love the going up and down of the stairs  which would have been knee crunching for both Glynis and Barbara. Glynis also has a lovely strong singing voice.

Milly Etherington plays Mercedes, Bob Cratchit, Belle and a Boy.  Coming on with a neck brace and a knee support she hobbles uncomfortably around as each character, bravely keeping up with the rest of the cast. She sustained this all the way through the show and was an excellent choice of actress by Director Rosemary Townsend. Well done.

Lighting and Sound were fine although sometimes the sound cut off a little quickly but maybe part of the plot?? Costumes were excellent and Director Rosemary Townsend guided her cast through a technical minefield. What a hard show to director but she did the cast and crew proud.

This was a hilarious night out and all the audience went away with a smile. We loved this show and send out Congratulations to you all.

 

 

 

                        

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