Directed by Stan Whitcher
My only complaint about the delightful Medstead Players Old Time Music Hall is that the programme did not name the performers. There was a page detailing the back-stage workers and they well deserved a mention, but the audience is entitled to be told who is appearing on the stage.
Apparently, it was regarded as a combined Medstead show, with no individual credits, but variety shows don't work that way.
Many members of the audience attended in period costume, and all were warmly welcomed with a glass of wine by Peter Prior. When the pianist Carol Fuller, took her place in front of the stage, she was given a round of applause for her elegant costume.
John Gregory was the master of ceremonies and he introduced the acts in the traditional bombastic manner. The curtain rose as four charming ladies, picturesque in fashionable gowns, flowery hats and carrying sunshades, made a colourful promenade singing Victorian music hall favourites.
Pam Kercher's sad monologue referred to a lamentable instance of social injustice and the tension was then relieved by a typical comic melodrama. The handsome hero was tied to the railway line by the wicked villain before being rescued in the nick of time. The effects department made a splendid job of this scene as the cardboard engines thundered by in the wrong direction.
Mike Overy was the pseudo weightlifter who was finally devoured by his performing lions. Maggie Hillier sang a solo and Ron Whitcher and the ballerina, Phil Diment gave a hilarious performance from Swan Lake. Mike Overy encouraged the audience to join in the singing of The Admiral's Song from HMS Pinafore and before the interval, a barber's shop quintet put on a tuneful show.
The second half opened with a sailors' hornpipe and then Stan Whitcher, in reminiscent mood, slumped in a rocking chair to recall the past. He did it very dramatically, but he was sometimes difficult to hear. Maggie Hillier and Sarah Cook sang some lively duets and Pam Kercher followed with a cleaner's mournful tale.
Little Claudia Foams delighted the audience with her twinkling tap dance and the evening ended with the drunkard's dilemma. Here, John Gregory, Ann Penn, with Stan and Mike, revelled in old fashioned melodrama, with the audience booing at every appearance of the villain and cheering as Ann was saved from a fate worse than death.
The show was well rehearsed and produced and it was rounded off by all the performers taking the stage to lead with the singing of three rousing choruses.
N.H.C.
