Compiled and Directed by Jenny Overy
The 2003 Old Time Music Hall was generally considered by the audiences and everyone involved as outstanding. It was full of traditional songs, acts, monologues and sketches, with plenty of opportunity for audience participation. The twenty five strong cast included many of our 'regulars', plus some new members and an enthusiastic group of juniors. This show especially stretched us musically and through providing almost one hundred changes of costume. It was a great pleasure having the juniors in the cast and let's hope they look back on this as a stepping stone to greater things. The hall was decorated to Victorian effect and many members of the audience dressed to suit the period, which greatly added to the sense of occasion. £233 was also raised for the Children in Need charity. Coach loads of students from Treloar's College came to the dress rehearsal and thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
Here are just a few of the numerous appreciative comments received from members of the audience:
'excellent, I really enjoyed it, laughed a lot... had tears at times, well it was a great show' (LG), 'a ray of sunshine on an otherwise dull and wet afternoon' (BM), 'clever balance between the elements of the show, not too much of anything ..... acting was excellent and the enthusiasm of the performers encouraged the audience to sing along' (MW), 'a top notch show' (P), 'it was brilliant' (C), 'really hilarious' (S), 'very funny' (RG).
I went to see the Old Time Music Hall on the Sunday afternoon, on a miserable, dull, rainy day and, right from the beginning, my spirits were lifted high by the pure enthusiasm, professionalism and gaiety which flowed from the stage. Everything was so bright, the set, the lighting, the voices, the faces, who could fail to be captivated by this show?
M.C. Peter Hobbs must have swallowed the dictionary, who could find so many words all beginning with the same letter? - except, of course, for the monk who appeared later, Dominic Clifford, and completely bemused us with his 'astonishing, awesome, alliteration'. It would be hard to pick out acts which were any better than any other - in other words, everyone acted and sang at the peak of music hall tradition.
Bill Edwards crooned his way into our hearts, especially with 'When I leave the world behind', and, in a different way, Sue Ovell, as a beautiful white, glittery fairy, (aged 40) made us sad but made us laugh as well. 'Over the top' songs by Stan Whitcher, Jenny and Mike Overy, Val Coombs, Anita Prior, Andrea Robson, Marion Rogers, Kerry Magennis Prior and Richard Smith were all in the beloved music hall style, plus an amusing sketch by Pam Kercher whose rendition on the bottles was perfect. David Rae gave a new interest to 'Albert and the Lion' with his amusing maneuvering with the hats, and Valerie Hobbs and her 'Biggest Aspidistra' was great. However, Valerie's monologue, where she sat and constantly berated her absent husband, Henry, was all a bit too realistic, and it was not surprising to hear the MC Peter, Valerie's real husband, say "Glad my name's not Henry!"
I've left the children to the last, because really I could go on and on about them, they were delightful. Esther Andrews with her lovely solo voice, and Olivia Southern with her monologue were wonderful - well done for remembering it so well Olivia, and with a super Northern accent too. All the children sang out to the audience, every word could be heard, and they were a credit to the Company.
One thing which I felt made this production different from other Old Time Music Halls was the variation in the way old established songs were performed, slight differences to the way we usually expect to hear and see the traditional acts. All this, I am sure, was due to the hard work and exceptional ability of the Artistic & Musical Director Jenny Overy, Producer Marion Rogers, and obviously, the skillful accompanist, Kate Kidd.
Front of House, Stage crew, lighting, sound, catering, bar, wonderful wardrobe, all contributed to a really fantastic musical show.
[JG]
The hall was decorated with Victorian posters and even a picture of Victoria Regina herself. Tables had been laid for an evening meal or High Tea for the Sunday matinee with front of house staff dressed as cockneys.
The scene was set and the right atmosphere created by lan Henderson on his busker organ playing old favourites.
The Music Hall was under the chairmanship of an immaculate, erudite and witty Peter Hobbs who controlled the evening with a firm but lenient gavel. Introducing the orchestra of nine, he apologised that eight were absent but the music of Kate Kidd swept the show along at a good pace.
The audience entered into the spirit of the evening and many appeared in the dress of the day, even if some gentlemen were asked to remove their top hats so that others could see the stage.
Many of the old favourites were included such as The Marrow Song, The Sand Dance (without sand). The Boy in the Gallery, My Old Dutch and the Biggest Aspidistra in the World. Three spinsters told of their Waiting at the Church, while Pam Kercher took hitting the bottle to a new level.
Normally it would be invidious to single out any of the cast but some of the turns were outstanding. Sue Ovell's rendition of Nobody Loves a Fairy When she's Forty, almost brought tears to the eyes, while a tall, thin Dominic Clifford, dressed as a monk, gave his version of a mammoth tongue twister in three differing ways - Straight, in plain chant and at great speed.
Medstead Players welcomed many juniors to the stage and they were given their own slot to entertain with songs of the period. There was much potential talent on show but 11-year-old Esther Andrews certainly should be watched for in the future after her solo performance.
The large cast filled the village hall stage to overflowing for the two finale sing-a-longs.
Another first class production for the Medstead Players' record book.
[Peter Cansfield (reproduced with permission from the Alton Herald)]
The Company
Master of Ceremonies: Peter Hobbs
Pianoforte: Kate Kidd
Artistes:
Andrea Robson, Anita Prior, Bill Edwards, David Rae, Dominic Clifford, Jenny Overy, Kerry Magennis Prior, Marion Rogers, Mike Overy, Pam Kercher, Phil Rudland, Richard Smith, Stan Whitcher, Sue Ovell, Val Coombs and Valerie Hobbs
Junior Artistes:
Catriona Simpson, Emily Magennis Prior, Esther Andrews, Francesca Gillard, Georgia Bond, Joseph Robson, Josephine Legg, Nathalie Ware and Olivia Southern
Backstage:
Artistic & Musical Director: Jenny Overy. Producer: Marion Rogers. Stage manager: Lesley Rae. Scenic Design & Painting: Anthea Dore. Sound & Lighting: Graham Bennell, Mark Garnett & Janice Hopwood. Wardrobe: Anthea Dore, Marion Rogers & Anita Prior. Busker organ: lan Henderson. Photography: Peter Matthews. Researcher: Mike Overy.
Acts:
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Mother's lament (Kerry, Marion, Val) - watch video
Under the bed (Sue)
The marrow song (Bill)
Old bazaar in Cairo (Anita, Kerry, Richard)
Don't have any more Mrs Moore (Stan)
The boy I love is up in the gallery (Andrea)
Albert and the lion (David)
Oliver Twist medley (Andrea, Catriona, Emily, Esther, Francesca, Georgia, Joseph, Josephine, Kerry, Nathalie, Olivia)
My old Dutch (Mike) - watch video
When I take my morning promenade (Anita)
Terror at the Turnbulls (Dominic, Kerry, Mike)
The biggest aspidistra in the world (Valerie)
I want to sing in opera (Jenny)
Cookery demonstration (Pam)
Waiting at the church (Bill, Anita, Sue, Val)
Now I have to call him father (Andrea)
Recumbent posture (Olivia)
Is anybody looking for a widow (Val)
Playing bottles (Pam)
Medley (Andrea, Catriona, Emily, Esther, Francesca, Georgia, Joseph, Josephine, Kerry, Nathalie, Olivia)
When I leave the world behind (Bill)
Doctor's orders (Andrea, Anita, David, Dominic, Kerry, Stan, Sue)
Oh Mr Porter (Marion, Val) - watch video
Tongue twister (Dominic) - watch video
Nobody loves a fairy when she's forty (Sue)
While the going's good (Valerie)
Don't dilly dally (Stan)