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WITH THEIR latest production, the
pantomime How Clarence Earned His Wings, staged in the Community
College, Faringdon Dramatic Society scored a winner. The show was a joy
to the eyes and ears, and above all provided real family entertainment.
The society is indeed fortunate to
have Nick Coard as a member. Not only did he write the script, but he
directed it and played a small part. Even with a co-director (Claire
Forty), managing a cast of over sixty is an enormous under-taking, but
the result was a great success. They also have a professional musician,
Alexei Knupffer, as Musical Director. His scintillating piano playing
accompanied by an 8-piece band made an enormous contribution. Their
exciting overture got the evening off to a good start. The curtains
swept back to reveal the vast opening chorus, including many children.
All were well positioned and knew exactly what they were supposed to be
doing. The total effect was very striking.
We then meet Clarence (Cleve Forty) -
the angel who has not yet earned his wings. Try as he may to "do
good", every- thing he touches seems to go wrong. Thereafter the
story moves to the busy town of Faringdon Falls in the "wild
west" of Oxfordshire, with its Sheriff, Reverend, cowboys,
cowgirls, and Indians. Not your usual panto setting, but the equivalents
of the Dame, The Principal Boy, and the various goodies and baddies were
all easily distinguished. |
Rebecca Lock (Principal Boy) and
Lauren Anderson were a well-matched pair who gave us a delightful
rendering of Surrey with the Fringe on Top. There were other effective
double acts-Sarah Varnom (Dame) and Gary Bates (Villain) with their
memorable Things we used to do, and Paul Mountford-Lister and Lesley
Phillips as two gormless Baddies, the Barracuda brothers. Lesley was
particularly lively and amusing as the smaller of the pair. It is a safe
bet that the youngsters playing the Strolling Minstrels Gosh Osment and
Billie Williams) will be playing important roles in future Faringdon
pantos.
There were too many others to mention
individually- suffice to say that without exception they "gave
their all" and made the most of their characters. Let's not forget
the many others who contributed- the wardrobe people, set constructors,
choreographers and so on. who added much to the show.
There were some weak points but few.
The overture and Clarence's scene-setting opening speech were both a bit
long to hold the attention of some of the younger members of the
audience, and perhaps we could have done with a touch more glitz and
glamour at the close.
review by Jeannett Grace
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