Produced by Jenny Overy
Children in Need video preview as shown on the BBC's 'South Today'
[to watch in full screen mode, right click on image and select 'Zoom', to exit press 'Esc'].
The Medstead Players presented a wonderful show in aid of 'Children in Need'. As always, the Hall was full of villagers and 'out-villagers' who have come to realise that they can always rely on a very enjoyable show, produced as they are by a superb team of organizers, in this case put together by Jenny Overy, with husband Mike as the resplendent MC.
The first act was amazing - hard to believe even. Well, it was a rock band called 'The Theory of 6 Degrees', fantastic guitar and drum playing, lovely and exciting singing, much of the music written by themselves. What was so amazing however, was the age of the four local musicians: Jack, Joe, Sam and Scott. You would expect a 'youth' band to be at least mid-teenagers, but no, these were 13 and 14 year olds! Perhaps because of their youth, the songs they sang were great, and were not all about love, sex, drugs etc. They fitted in with their young looks, and the perfect co-ordination and expertise of their playing. It was hard to see them go, but the audience was pleased to see them continue on stage for the next act. Jenny Overy, an excellent jazz singer, sang 'Hallelujah', accompanied by the band and by a delightful choir of adults and children from the Medstead Players - lovely, could have done with more.
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The main act was the professional comic magician - Clive Greenaway, in the style and dress of the immortal Tommy Cooper, of 40's fame. He delighted the whole audience with his magic tricks, which often started off going wrong, much to our delight, but then magically coming out right, often with a totally unexpected outcome and flourish. We laughed all the time for the rest of the show, and again, were sorry to say goodbye to such a refreshing act. He dressed like Tommy Cooper, walked like him, talked like him, and was constantly applauded both by us who remembered Tommy and those who didn't.
Thank you once again to the Medstead Players for a smashing show.
[Jean Gebbett]
Thanks to everyone who helped, the band, donors and the generosity of the audience, the magnificent sum of £1,100 was raised for the charity 'Children in Need'.