The Snow Queen

The Snow Queen a pantomime staged by All Souls Dramatic Club at The Atkinson, Lord Street, Southport on Thursday, 13th January, 2022.

This ‘modern twist’ on the highly acclaimed Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale, was penned by the ever so talented Cliff Gillies, who not only wrote it, but directed it and took on the role of the Dame. In this version, the story follows the lives of two friends, Kai and Gerda and their battle with good and evil. Underpinning this highly entertaining production was a further message that can be best explained using extracts from the Director’s notes… “We don't
all like what we see when we look in the mirror... not all the time’! I guess in some way it is unavoidable. However; social media, such as Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat, is contributing to the degradation of young kids’ self-confidence. These platforms become a toxic mirror reflecting unrealistic expectations toward our body image. A mirror that portrays unreal expectations of body type, image and appearance of all ages, genders, sexuality and
race that convince us that we aren’t good enough. These unrealistic expectations can often be a contribution to unhealthy disorders or habits. Social media shouldn’t dictate self-worth, body image or someone’s health. That’s the message that the Snow Queen (and Malificent) learn in this show!

It's been two years and 10 days since I saw my last All Souls Pantomime... all I can say is that the wait was worth it! Opening Night, great audience, not full, but I really do not think that mattered to those present or those on stage, because what we witnessed was something ‘special’!   From first note to last, this was up there with the best!

The past couple of years have been a challenge, not only for Amateur Theatre, but for theatre as a whole! Having spoken with many societies and to All Souls that evening, staging any production in this climate has been difficult! The possibility of this production never ‘reaching the stage’ was always ‘real’, so to keep people interested, motivated and enthused was a challenge… a challenge met by the Production Team of Cliff Gillies (Director), Katie Palfrey (Choreographer), Chloe Hughes (Musical Director/Vocal Coach) and Adam Dutch (Musical Director /Band Leader). But now, having seen the ‘fruits of their labour’, there is no doubt that all that hard work paid off and each should be congratulated for their dedication and enthusiasm.  Well done guys, job well done, be proud!

Anyone familiar with my reviews will now expect me to ‘stick my neck out’ and identify my favourite performances!  But having sat down to try and do this, I find myself in ‘uncharted territory’… WHY I HEAR YOU ASK?  Well, it’s something that’s happened a lot during the past few months and I’ve been struggling to understand why!  There’s something different about this ‘panto season’; many people have been making reference to ‘FAMILY’ when referring to their society! In tonight’s programme a number of cast members, in their testimonials, mention the

‘All Souls Family’.  I was at St Pauls, Adlington a couple of weeks ago, ‘FAMILY’ was mentioned so many times and their ‘finale song’ was ‘We are Family’!  I really do believe that the members of our ‘societies’, our ‘companies’, our ‘clubs’, have realised, that to get their productions to stage, during these difficult times, has required ‘everyone’ to pull/work together like a FAMILY and I do believe that happened again here tonight…so, for me to start saying someone was better than someone else, would in my mind be wrong!

So where do I start to reflect on the cast and this production… EASY!  When you see thirteen principles, creating so many unbelievable characters, all blessed with amazing stage presence, with clear distinct voices, amazing vocal abilities, when not only the principles, but everyone on stage gave of their best… then you really cannot ask any more and to start saying someone was better than someone else, as I’ve said previously, would be wrong!  So please, everyone -  ‘take a bow’…‘The Snow Queen’ created by Chloe Hughes, ‘Gerda’ created by Hayleigh Griffin, ‘Kai’ created by John Delahunty (first panto with All Souls) ‘Poppins’ created by Karen Parkinson, ‘Dame Bess Before’ created by Cliff Gillies, ‘Butch’ created by Ian Lawson, ‘Snow White’ created by Kelly Anderson, ‘Prince Charming’ created by James Shaw (Another in his first panto with All Souls), ‘Malificent’ created by Laura Kearns, ‘Belle’ created by Jen Johnson, ‘Wolf’ created by Joanne Wasilew, ‘Rumpelstiltskin’ created by Tracey Holmes-Smith, ‘Tinkerbell’ created by Jenny Roby.  Be ever so proud folks… outstanding!

‘The Family’ the ensemble: Louise Webster, Chris Gerring, Barbara Shields, Ana Woodward, Hannah Zachariah, Gemma Harrison, Sue Hardiker, Carole Birch, Alice Whaley, Melissa Bennett, Samantha Knowles, Josh Barnes, Vicky Newcombe, Roy Gardner and Vicky Snape.  Dancers: Summer-Rain Trevalyan, Gabbi Haddock, Chloe Judd, Caitlin Woodward, Alisha Pantellerisco, Hannah Grunshaw and Sian Fletcher and making up the ‘Family’ the ‘Young Dancers’ from ‘So Talented’… Fleur Wigmore, Emma Westby, Lucy Brookfield, Lola Birtles, Olivia Halsall and Bryony Jones… again, ladies, gentlemen, boys and girls be ever so proud… wonderful job!

Please do not think that I am going back on what I’ve said above, but I do think it would be remiss of me not to ‘slick my neck out, just a little’ and highlight MY four favourite moments from the panto…

a)‘You Will be Found’ - ‘Gerda’ and ‘Kai’s’ (Hayleigh Griffin and John Delahunty) duet, supported by the chorus in Act One; beautiful song, sang to
    perfection; great movement, created a heartfelt atmosphere... could easily have been the finale song for ‘Act 1’…  a real ‘highlight’ for me!

b)‘THE ONE LINERS’ – not really ‘A’ moment, but many moments to be fair… you always have a plethora of ‘one liner’s’ in any panto… but in the words of
    Frank Carson ‘It’s the way you tell um’ and I cannot remember as much audience reaction to as many ‘one liner’s’ as in this panto and after the 'anabolic      steroid' line, well … amazing!

c)‘The Snow Queen’ and ‘Butch’ (Chloe Hughes and Ian Lawson) duetting with their rendition of ‘A Thousand Years’… few tears shed… amazing vocals,
    beautiful harmonies be ever so proud you two!

d)But for me… ‘Butch’ - Ian Lawson’s rendition of ‘Stars’ and his speech was up there with ‘as good as it gets’…more tears for sure!  Be ever so proud Ian, really don’t need to say more!

THE BAND FAMILY… or should I say the ‘Dutch Family’!  Adam Dutch had gathered together an amazing band! Adam himself on Bass Guitar; Mark Dutch on Guitar; Sarah Dutch on reeds/percussion; Paul Dutch on drums; Dan Rankin on guitar/keys and Chris Rimmer not only on keys, but singing lead vocal on one song, impressive... well done guys’ great sound!

No ‘THEATRE FAMILY’ is complete without the ‘unseen family’ who work tirelessly behind the scenes ensuring lights, sound, scenery, props and costumes are ready and fit for purpose!  Matt Hughes (Production Manager) and Andrea Shacksmyth-Claire (Stage Manager) led a whole host of folk, too many to name individually unfortunately – sorry!  Chris Watkinson was i/c the ‘Wardrobe Team’ and what a wardrobe we had; costumes were amazing… well done everyone, sorry I could not name everyone individually!   

I always feel a good way to gauge the success of any show is to ‘eavesdrop’ on the audience as they leave the venue.  After listening to the comments and acclaim by both adult and child that evening, there was little or no doubt that this production had been a massive success… well done everyone!

All Souls Dramatic Club dedicated their ‘opening night’ to Derek Gardner, a past member who ‘passed’ in November 2020 and this was their first opportunity to acknowledge Derek’s service to the society. I had the privilege to be sat next to Derek’s son Mark and Derek’s wife Linda for this production… my prayers go out to all the family!

Thank you so much for inviting Susan and I, for your hospitality throughout and for allowing me to speak with the cast after the show… be ever so proud ‘All Souls Family’… the long wait is over and there is little or no doubt that this was a ‘triumphant return’… stay safe and keep well, hope to see you all very soon!

Jim Briscoe
District 6 Rep
NODA NW

 

 

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