Actually, the real treasure was on the 28th January, which saw the last night’s performance of Shipston-on-Stour Drama Group's portrayal of the pantomime 'Treasure Island'. Under the wonderfully creative direction of Helen Morgan, ably assisted by Cheryl de Lacy, together with the colourful costumes and tropical sets, the group pulled off an unforgettable performance and a treat for us all. We were taken right from the Hawkins debt ridden Benbow Inn, to an island ‘about 28 miles east of the coast of Trinidad,’ where X marked the spot. Comic rhyme came from the narrator of the story Nicky Harris (as Fairy Godmother) with her funky mobile and at one point sporting a beard!! Yes, I did say beard! The principal boy played by Tasha Smith (as Jim Hawkins) gave a fine performance along with the principal girl Beth Payne (as Felicity Trelawney) and their duet of the ‘mushy love song’ was beautifully delivered. Chris Humphries as the Dame (Ma Hawkins) was well matched by David Ryan (as Squire Trelawney) but their suggestive relationship made the saying ‘Sick as a Parrot’ so true with (Polly the Parrot) ably played by Heather Thomas, who had some brilliant sarcastic one-liners, wanting to throw herself overboard.
The talented comedy duo of Keith Lane and George Kelly (as Brass and Knuckles) were really funny and had a great rapport with the audience right from the start and carried throughout the show. They were the ‘good’ pirates; the ‘bad’ pirates were Mike Jeffries (Black Dog), Joe Banks (Jolly Roger), Reece Workman (Young Jake) and Jez Collar (Blind Pugh) whose appearance alone had the audience laughing on sight. Then he steered the ship, captained by Michelle Clark (Captain Corker’un) onto some rocks where they ended up on an island only to be met by “Crusoe, Robinson Crusoe”, a ‘James Bond’ character brilliantly played by Nigel Bosworth, who incidentally didn’t want to be rescued from the island. Why? Obviously it was his (Girl Friday) played by Lana Mulford, together with (Girls Monday to Thursday) played by Chrissy Lane, Catherine Collar, Kaz Hitchman and Toni Williams. Their dance routines and sexy costumes brought wolf-whistles from the audience, and with Nigel’s singing ability they delivered a superb finale to the show.
Of course there had to be a ‘scary ghost bit’ with ‘He’s behind you!’ shouted several times by the enthusiastic audience. The part of the ghost was well executed by young Helen Cox, who also played (2nd Mate) on the ship along with Sian Betteridge, Jess Digweed, Skye Faulkner, Holly Hitchman and Libby Williams (as sailors and pirates), and the ‘bearded’ ladies Christine Ryan (Martha) and Susan Jackson (Beard Seller), together with Luke Clemons (Robin the Cabin Boy).
The stand out performance of the night however, was that by Tim Skeath who portrayed his version of the evil pirate Long John Silver. His comic timing, delivery and interaction with the audience (at one time telling a boy in the audience that he knew where he lived) right off the cuff made for some unforgettable scenes and rippling laughter throughout the Townsend Hall.
Who would want to stay at home watching television when an evening at the Townsend Hall offered local live theatre with members of our own Drama Group delivering a fun night of innuendos, rhyme and piracy. This show had all the right ingredients down to the damsel in distress, the ugly dame (who some mistook for a sea monster), slapstick comedy and an evil pirate! What more could you ask for, except more of the same?
April 2012 Minutes