Producer Judi Smith Stage Manager Malcolm Kingshott Backstage Consultant Harry Leando Stage Crew Bernard Crabbe, Tim Dent, Mark Welton, Sandra Watson, Judith Tuss, Sara Harris, Claude Webb, Dennis Ross, Lane Edwards, Pete Leonard, Keith Emery, Paul Bellamy and members of the cast. Set Design Helen Newman Lighting Philip Simons, Keith Phillips, Sally Beasant Sound Ian Buckland Technical Co-ordinator Ray Buckland Wardrobe Mistress Jean Goddard Wardrobe Assistants Chris Loring, Marion Clarke, Chris Halls, Joan Goddard, Eileen Dicker, Mary Houghton and members of the cast. Properties Anne Edworthy, Ann Fowgies, Mary Houghton Prompt Helen West Publicity Dennis Ross Front of House Jan & Neil Head Rehearsal Refreshments Nell Hill Box Office Margaret Smith Programme and Poster Design The Ridler Family Musical Director Ian Tucker The Band Ian Henderson, John Pickford, Ian Wills, Neil Buckland

SCENES

ACT ONE

I. The Quayside
II. Alderman Fitzwarren's House
III. The Grain Warehouse
IV. Alderman Fitzwarren's House
V. On Board Ship
VI. All At Sea

ACT TWO

I. The Island of Knowle
II. The Boat, somewhere at sea
III. Alderman Fitzwarren's House
IV. Outside Bristol
V. The Grain Warehouse
VI. The Quayside

1986 ARTICLE

PANTO TIME IS HERE AGAIN
The Brilliant Madam Prod, alias beautiful, shapely caring Mrs Judi Smith has done it again - written a pantomime. "Dick Whittington" by name and  is now in the throes of producing same.
Back in the summer we read the script, tried for parts and then suddenly Prod had cast it. There we were with little appendages to our real life characters. (Will Steve Hall suddenly turn on a classroom of kids and become Ratty for a moment?)
Normally a nice well-spoken family man, John Bellamy has threatened me (Martha) with violence if I learn my words ahead of (a) him and (b) before we rehearse without scripts. "Have no fear" I said trying to placate him, "This cast is drawn into 2 camps; those who know about acting things, and me and John Dicker! I don't want to grass on the man but J.D. is still trying to learn his lines on the last night of the run!
People like Steve Halls, lovely Chrissie Torpy (who plays Dick), willowy Jo Smith, stately Donna Buckland and the perfectly formed David Goddard all know their words and have done so for weeks - the swots, crawlers, Prod's Pets, call them what you will!
Then there are the young hopefuls taking major parts for the first time. John Philips and Keith Feltham who play Julian and Sandy; Julie Sutor tackling the demanding part of Alice, Caroline Kingshott as the cat. All of them looking for guidance and encouragement from the more experienced members of the cast. Fat chance! I make a point of jeering at them, it helps stop the little devils from getting "uppy" if you get my drift!
"A panto stands or falls on its chorus" Madam P once said. Have we got a chorus? Well they've never all turned up on the same rehearsal night, but if they do get it together its going to be good. Lots of singing, movement, colour, crisp dialogue. What a line up!
Mo Merrell will once again choreograph the dancing. Very talented our stable of dancers, sometimes they even move in time to the music!
This year our musical director, Ian Tucker, is making a big effort and having a go at playing the black notes as well!
The audience must not miss one of the great duets. I won't say any more but it is in Act I scene 5.

Photos from this panto.

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