L to R: Gilly Dunn, Zach Measures, Owen Tribe, Tony Grant, Jimmy Ellis, Jo Truelove, Mel Bower, Jo Smith (as Blondel the minstrel)
Report by Fay Foster:
In a year when pantomimes have been springing up in almost every town and village,
support for Headley's annual pantomime has remained as high as ever.
This year's offering, Robin Hood, again written by former chairman Jo Smith
played to a packed house at the weekend. Jo played a key role in the guise of
court minstrel, Blondel, as he introduced the characters and set the scenes
in musical verse.
Rather unusually for Headley, the stars of the show were the chorus: Producer Rachel Bennett injected new enthusiasm into her cast of townsfolk and outlaws who showed plenty of spirit and sang with gusto. They were helped by the swinging rhythms of musical director Richard Toll and his synthesiser.
Sadly the show lost some of its punch and wit by the failure of several of
the principals to project to the back rows.
Recreating the dame role he has played with distinction in the past, Jimmy Ellis
was particularly at fault here. A great pity since he looked terrific.
The best performances undoubtedly came from the baddies: Tony Grant, outstanding as the wicked Sheriff of Nottingham, and Zach Measures and Owen Tribe as his henchmen. Having both come up from the ranks of junior membership, Zach continues to impress and Owen's dimwit-type character also came over well.
In the title role, Penny McKay was a dashing Robin ably partnered by Melanie Bower as Maid Marion. Among the largely female band of merry 'men', Brian McClellan-Dunn had reassuring presence as Little John and Rod Sharp was an amusing Friar Tuck. An unusual recruit to their number was the unlikely Nun Better, deliciously play by Jo Truelove.
In one of the show's best moments, sisters challenged brothers to an irreverent cricket match up and down the aisle of the hall. Little John's commentary in the style of John Snagge was brilliant. In smaller roles, King Richard and his Queen (Simon Nardecchia and Gilly Dunn) gave steady support and Queen of the Fairies, Val Smith, kept a motherly eye on her brood.
Children needed no urging to pelt the wicked squire with paper pellets and after such fun, the house song was almost an anti-climax. The colourful costumes, excellent sets and ingenious props bore witness to the hard work behind the scenes.
Performances continue tonight (Friday) and Saturday afternoon and evening.
Also taking part were Robert and Stephen Saxey, Jill Turner, David Lishman, Alice Smith, Gemma Gilbert; chorus of townsfolk, monks, nuns and outlaws: Jane Banks, Rachel Bennett, Janine and Ruth Bower, Sally Burton, Maureen Cooke, Lizzie Creasey, Wendy Downs, Heidi and Karina Farnlucher, Vicky Ichua, Laurie Lewis, Vikki Lockyerfield, Tiffany McKay, Jayne Nice, Adam White, Debbie Williamson; fairy attendants: Alice Smith, Stephen Williamson, Gemma Gilbert, Kate Harburn, Rebecca Lockyerfield, Helen and Christopher Sharp; junior chorus of spooks and soldiers: Luke Bolman, Jonathan Sawers, Grant Shoebridge, Jamie Stickler, Giles Wrigley, Katie Sawers, Simon Webb.
Also responsible behind the scenes were Hester Whittle (scenery design); Stan Sharp and Peter Girvan (stage management); Val Smith (choreography); Dilys Williamson (junior rehearsals); Ian Hudson (special properties). Scenery construction, costumes, properties, lighting and front-of-house duties were undertaken by members and friends of the club.