The Lost Island

Possibly near Blakeney, but definitely somewhere in England, is Loxley Manor and it is owned by a large and eccentric family the Ffortescues. They have fallen on hard times and their only chance of putting things back on an even keel is by finding the rumoured family fortune.

Hugo Ffortescue (Peter Franklin) in his usual confident style is the greedy family member and Daphne (Barbara Franklin) is his very down to earth, matriarchal sister trying to hold everything together. Crispin Ffortescue (Dave Long) is the “nice but dim”, gun happy brother and Beatrice (Alison Mawson) is the slightly absent-minded scientific sister. Also living in the Manor are Queenie (Morag Lloyd) and Edith (Erica Roch) the hilarious but doddery maiden aunts, both slightly deaf. The servants are Meadows (Iain Mawson) the Butler and by far the  cleverest person in the house and Maisie (Harriet Duncan) the maid with the lovely singing voice. This quality line up of cast members means all the action moves swiftly and smoothly through to Crispin shooting a hole in the portrait of their ancestor Jasper and revealing the family fortune. All their troubles are now over but also inside the picture is a map giving the location of another hidden treasure on an island.

We are immediately transported back some 400 years to the very island and meet a merry band of pirates. Seth (Dave Buckey) leader of the pirates and his sidekick Jake (Finlay Newton). The rest of the crew are Scarlett (Marjorie Davies) and Molly (Merle Hooke) who gave us a great duet. This hapless crew are accompanied by Jasper Ffortescue (Pip Banham) with his vast fortune, and as their ship has sunk he is looking for somewhere to bury it. Successfully buried, he sets off in a small rowing boat to get help. Suddenly everything starts to shake and under a strange green light everyone freezes. Jasper can no longer see the island.

Bearing an uncanny resemblance to Jasper, Henry Ffortescue arrives on the scene and helps the family organise a search for the missing island and treasure. This means hiring a boat, but the island might have sunk, so what they need is a submarine.

HMS Buttercup, a yellow submarine, is crewed entirely by tap dancing submariners. Daffodil (Jennie Blowers), Jasmine (Sam Duncan), Cowslip (Jane Temple), Celandine (Jane Stuart) Potentilla (Jess Daynes) and Primrose (Michelle Cobbett) gave us not one but two tap numbers and as usual they were very well done.

Needless to say the treasure is found, after getting into trouble with the French authorities, Captain Mimi de la Mer (Rosie Eddington), and finally pacifying Isabella Cortez (Sue Andrews). Daphne marries Meadows and all is well in the world of Blakeney Players.

This village entertainment is a testament to teamwork. We were treated to good singing and dancing, some amazing scenery (love the portholes), costumes and wigs that are always accurate and an accompaniment from a very competent band.

Full marks to Ralph Wiggins for overcoming his covid to write and direct this piece.

Another thoroughly enjoyable evening at Blakeney

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