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ALADDIN (JANUARY 1962) |
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Pantomime has now become one of our annual excitements, and since there is so little time in which to rehearse, we have to get down to it with all the enthusiasm we enjoy. There was something special about this one, because it was the last Kenneth Newell was to write for us (although we did not know this at the time) and also the last appearance of Alf Smith on stage as the Dame. |
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The traditional burlesque gave a newcomer to our Pantomime - Robin Aldworth - as 'Wishee Washee', a wonderful opportunity to prove his versatility and the deliberate guying of the song "There's a hole in my bucket" was sheer delight. There is also a very special place in our memories for the Hippopotamus Song sung by Robbie in his inimitable manner, a superb example of diction and voice control which the chorus would do well to emulate. He certainly knows how to pick songs to sway the audience - and us. |
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The costumes and scenery were enormously enhanced by the very effective lighting which gave a luminous effect to some of the scenes, and there was also a very realistic magic carpet which caused a riot of laughter. |
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Bitterly cold, frosty weather during rehearsals caused absenteeism through operations, accident and illness which hit us with notable disregard for social distinction. 'Flu struck many of the chorus but they closed the blanks in the ranks like sea anemonies that fold up instantly at a touch. Some of us had to walk there because we could not keep upright on wheels, and in the dressing rooms some of those spine-chilling dresses which concealed carefully hidden scaffolding were pretty inadequate against the cold. |
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The musical numbers were mostly song hits of the moment, but we also sang a chorus from Aida which took up rather much rehearsal time, but was eventually an impressive show-piece. |
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A few weeks after this production Nan and Alf Smith set sail for New Zealand, and took with them a silver salver from the Society as a token of long and faithful service. Following this a month or two later, another bombshell was dropped in our midst. Ken and Mary Newell shook off the shackles of Bedfont and set up as hoteliers in Lynton, Devon. We presented them with a pair of binoculars which would no doubt serve many purposes in their new surroundings. |
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DORIS SEAMAN |
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EXTRACTS FROM "MIDDLESEX CHRONICLE" REVIEW |
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Based on the traditional story of the magic lamp, it was brought up to date by including references to such topics as "the pay pause", "sit-down demonstrations", "vital statistics", "income tax dodging" and a "bingo" session. It was therefore no surprise to see, in contrast to the gorgeously-clad orientals, a pair of "beatniks", unkempt and slovenly dressed, Robin Aldworth (Wishee-Washee) and his adoring partner Frankie Higgins (Sing-Hi), the latter in striped jersey and tight-fitting black trousers. They embraced fervently whenever possible (oblivious of the presence of spectators) and, with the former plucking the strings of an outsize Chinese "double bass" persuaded the orchestra and chorus to join in a "hotted-up" version of "You made me love you"... |
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Reginald Curtis, as musical director, controlled his efficient small orchestra with Joan Best, pianist, as versatile "filler-in" As one can expect anything in pantomime, the conductor's selection of music including themes from "Aida", "Peer Gynt" and "The Two Gendarmes" had to be forgiven. The multi-versed folk song by Wishee Washee and his mother and brother concerning the use of "the bucket with the hole in the bottom" was excruciatingly funny... |
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Last Saturday the show lasted over three hours but it is being cut down judiciously... |