Report by Jo Fisher:
A stranger to Headley entering the village hall last Saturday evening could
have been excused for believing he had been transported back through time to
the last century, for enjoying the festive atmosphere inside were about 100
people in Victorian costume enjoying an authentic Victorian Music Hall.
The evening had been arranged by the Headley Theatre Club and all proceeds will
be donated to the village hall fund. The audience had been invited to dress
appropriately and everyone seemed to have unearthed at least one garment from
the period.
In the candlelight one could make out bustles, lace collars, velvet collars,
and some very low necklines. The men had produced some magnificent whiskers,
frock coats, and top hats.
Master of Ceremonies was Larry Armstrong who astounded the audience with his
comprehensive vocabulary. He was magnificent in the role and kept the boisterous
audience under control with his gavel. His lengthy and amusing introductions
for each act were greeted by shouts, jeers, and hisses from the audience and
it was difficult to know who enjoyed themselves most - the performers or the
audience.
The entertainment began with several renderings from a Barber's shop Quartet,
singing in harmony, consisting of David Bryan, Ray Pascoe, Stan Sharp, and Anthony
Page. One of the songs 'Genevieve' was a sad love story and the name part was
played by Lesley Wightman. Merle Richardson played piano to accompany all the
singing.
After a light-hearted beginning Phil Brewster, Helen Pavey, Eileen Callaghan
and Sheila Green recited a well known Victorian poem, 'My Mother'. Although
meant in a serious vein, the audience even found this amusing and the applause
was mixed with roars of laughter.
Stan Sharp returned to the stage to read two monologues, 'My Village' and 'Ticket
of Leave'. Both were lengthy and although Stan read and showed expression well,
the second was somewhat complicated and in parts difficult to follow.
Following this, Katie Warner soon had the audience joining in well known songs
such as 'My Grandfather's Clock' and 'The Second Minuet'.
At this point in the proceedings there was an interval during which Larry Armstrong
invited members of the audience to "show off their talents." There
were several volunteers, and the audience enjoyed some impromptu singing and
verse from two very well-dressed Victorians.
The longest single entertainment was a melodrama, 'Unhand me, Squire', produced
by Marie Bryan. Like most melodramas, the story was about a wicked squire trying
to acquire a young maiden from the village. After other attempts proved useless,
he foreclosed the mortgage on the house of the young girl's parents, but as
expected, all ended well. The squire was always greeted with boos from the audience
and the young hero, with cheers, and there was much fainting away by the young
maiden. The squire eventually dispensed with his large moustache after many
vain attempts to keep it adhered to his top lip and thereafter had to twirl
an imaginary one.
Taking part were Rie Gerstel (narrator), Celie Haydon (Fanny, the young maiden),
John Carnac (Squire), Anthony Page (Percival, the hero), Phil Smith and John
Boxall (Fanny's parents) and Phil Brewster, Eileen Callaghan, Helen Pavey and
Sheila Green, who were described as "four matrons dancing round the maypole."
A Victorian supper of sausages, baked potatoes and pease pudding was served.
A competition for the best-dressed Victorians was judged by Mr Brian Witham,
Chairman of the Village Hall Trustees, Mr Hall, a Trustee, and Miss Hilary Parkinson,
an independent judge.
John Ellis won the man's prize of a bottle of wine. He was authentic in every
detail, right down to long side whiskers. Mrs Joyce Stevens won the women's
prize of a box of chocolates. She was wearing a long pink and white dress with
low neck, bustle, and long white gloves. A special additional prize was given
to young Adrian Carnac, as Oliver Twist.
The evening concluded with community singing led by Helen Pavey, magnificently
attired in very low cut emerald green velvet dress, high coral boots, and garters.
After a most entertaining and enjoyable evening Mr Witham expressed the very
grateful thanks of the Village Hall Trustees to the Theatre Club.