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MOTHER GOOSE (JANUARY 1960) |
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Almost before we had recovered from performing "The Geisha" we were rushed headlong into rehearsals for our third Pantomime "Mother Goose". Seven weeks to go! During the summer Ken Newell had produced another script, unaltered and complete in its entirety this time, with a host of happy choruses, songs and dances interwoven. |
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It seems our Society likes doing things in a hurry, with concentrated effort, and we all rallied round Conductor and Producer, determined to put on another good show at Christmas-time. The beautiful second-act costumes were the best we had ever had, and made a splendid spectacle in the finale scene. |
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As Priscilla the Goose, Sylvia Allen's performance was one of endurance and perspiration, and especially memorable was Bernard Johns' portrayal of Greed, in red tight-fitting suit, his words being beautifully and clearly spoken. There were several merry incidents behind the scenes, especially when two fire buckets filled with a foam-producing substance to give cloud effect, were placed in the wings. With a lot of puffing and blowing the men took it in turn to lie on their tummies blowing the vapour out on to the stage, but it evaporated rapidly and little drifts slowly floated around the dancers' feet. The view from the audience was very effective, but they little knew what effort was needed to produce it. |
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Despite the frantic amount of work, worry and scheming required, the Pantomime was no doubt a great success, and one which we hope has now become an annual event in our curriculum. |
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DORIS SEAMAN |
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EXTRACTS FROM PRESS REVIEWS |
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Kenneth Newell's simple, straightforward adaptation of the fairy tale; the author's lively production in which magic, humour, slapstick, comedy, attractive dancing, tunefulness and colour were all judiciously blended; a cast well chosen vocally and dramatically to exploit the romantic, supernatural and comic situations; and Reginald Curtis's string orchestra augmented with piano and percussion whose melodiousness fell gratefully on the ear, were the right ingredients for a seasonably entertaining dish. For much of the time this appetising mixture bubbled merrily; the few occasions when it merely simmered were due to faulty timing of entrances and exits and to the imperfect memorising of the words.... |
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Chorus work was generally good and at its best when those taking part formed themselves into a sort of glee-club and sang several numbers in four part harmony. Even the "Pilgrims' Chorus" from "Tannhauser" found a place in a score in which popular lyrics and tunes of yesterday as well as well-known classical pieces were pressed into service... |
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A weakness was some slow cueing; and the chorus, which was rather static though singing very well, lost some opportunities for effect in a few of their entrances, notably when they brought on the maypole. These could have done with more flair and punch... |
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By Saturday the show should have settled down and be moving a bit faster... |