Written by Marion Rogers
Directed by Carol Janes
Fee, fi, foe fum... Medstead took a journey into the world of Pantoland at the weekend as the Medstead Players delved into the imagination to bring audiences a delightful performance of Jack and the Beanstalk.
In Pantoland anything can happen— all sorts of characters you are not expecting to meet pop up and the Medstead Players kept their audience deep in the world of fantasy and enjoyment.
Written by Marion Rogers and directed by Carole James, Jack and the Beanstalk kept the young and the old guessing, revelling in 'Oh no it's not' and 'Behind you'!
Dame Titania Shufflebottom, alias Stan Whitcher, filled the Medstead Village Hall with laughter as he drew the audience into the panto scene.
No authentic panto would be complete without a baddie and old Gizzard, boo, hiss, (Tony Grimmer) fitted the bill, with old favourite Dobbin the pantomime horse, (Val and Anita Prior) entertaining the audience with a dance number, as he escaped the clutches of Gizzard.
Jack (Sue Millett) had other ideas and took Dobbin deep into the woods where Gizzard couldn't find him. Along the way the audience were treated to dancing and acting by the young members of the cast dressed as countryside creatures.
In the woods is Little Red Riding Hood, who else! (Heather Coombs). Jack immediately falls in love with her, and both burst into song bringing romance to the Medstead panto with a outstanding performance of All I Ask of You.
With Little Red Riding Hood comes the big bad wolf, and Nick Cooper's portrayal of the wolf dressed in white tie and suit was brilliant and brought pure delight to the audience with his song of the Bambino piggies!
Complete with Fairy Godmother (Sue Ovell), Policeman (Roger Steel), Guards (Amanda Barnes and Cordelia House), Giant (Paul Cox) and Chicken (Lucy Western), the Medstead Players' performance kept them rolling in the aisles— an enjoyable time was had by all.
Credit must go to Dick Smith, Marion Rogers, and Graham and Gareth Bennell for the tremendous set that was very well designed, and to Graham Bennell, Neil, Mike O'Donohue and Carol Fuller for the music, lights and sound; and Lesley Rae, Val Prior, Tina Higgins and Sally Cooper for the wonderful costumes and make up. Full marks for the Medstead Players. [SF]
Cast:
Dame Titania Shufflebottom - Stan Whitcher
Gizzard - Tony Grimmer
Jack - Sue Millett
Dobbin - Val & Anita Prior
Little Red Riding Hood - Heather Coombs
Fairy - Sue Ovell
Policeman - Roger Steel
Wolf - Nick Cooper
Guards - Amanda Barnes & Cordelia House
Giant - Paul Cox
Chicken - Lucy Western
Badger - Adam Blatchford & Daniel Cox
Butterflies - Amanda Bames & Cordelia House
Deer - Elinor George
Fox - Paul Barnes
Rabbit - Owen Coombs & Paul Frost
Squirrel - Emily Cox
