Little Red Riding Hood & the Three Little Pigs

Date	16th February 2024
Society	Melksham Music and Drama
Venue	Rachel Fowler centre
Type of production	Panto
Director	Donna Ruderman
Producer	Joeanne Londors
Choerography	Katy Mence & Penny Smart & Brad Doman

Reviewed by Dee Way, District 14 Representative, Southwest Region, and Joy Smith

Thank you for your kind invitation to report on your recent production of this lovely pantomime which combines these two classic stories together around the wolf.  This was a good choice of script for this society as it gave plenty of opportunity for repartee with the audience and played to the strengths of the group.  The jokes were well devised and had some lovely plays on words that were well delivered with good energy and character. This was a truly joyous production, full of fun and laughter, with the cues for audience responses made very clear.

The pantomime was very well planned for the use of the multiple entrances and the scenery changes. The scenery was very effective, including a backdrop of a painted woodland scene, complete with path and toadstools; a hidden door; three houses for the pigs and a campfire.  This scenery worked so well because it was fairly simple, not fussy, and created just the right homespun atmosphere for the show. The idea of dropping the words for the audience song from the balcony worked very well.

The music and lighting were both very good, unobtrusive and on cue. The singing throughout was good, particularly from the lead characters, while the choreography was well suited to the abilities of the cast. The dance between Ursula and Red was very good, and the woodland dance had some really good moves.

The costumes were lovely and inventive, especially for the pigs, with their pink headgear, ears and snouts. Fin looked wonderful in his fancy waistcoat and multicoloured hat, while the wolf was suited in grey with furry ears, hands and feet.  Ursula’s purple dress and stole were perfect for the wicked step-mother, and Will the Woodcutter totally looked the part in his waistcoat, shirt, trousers and boots. 

The Lead Characters:

Will the Woodcutter: a traditional Principal Boy, looking for love, he was amusing in his interaction with Bark and Trunk and had a good romantic partnership with Red Riding Hood.

Red Riding Hood:  an amusing depiction of a traditional Principal Girl, doing good deeds despite her cruel stepmother.  Excellent interaction with other cast members, especially with the Big Bad Wolf and in her song with Ursula and of course a happy ending with Will.

Granny:  had great stage presence particularly in the weight-loss-plan joke, and a good singing voice.  However, this depiction of the Pantomime Dame was somewhat subdued and the performance lacked the boisterous fun and bawdy liveliness the part called for.

Mr. Wolf:  giving a fine depiction of a Pantomime Baddie, he was energetic with fantastic body-language and facial expression.  His duet with Ursula was a high-spot of the show and he built an excellent rapport with the audience.  A most entertaining and talented performance.

Ursula:  wicked stepmother Ursula brought a sinister atmosphere of evil to the panto.  Beautifully portrayed in all facets of her character: facial expression, body language and voice.   An excellent performance.

Fin:  enthusiastic, energetic and lively, he was the motor of the show, keeping up the momentum and fast pace.  Excellent rapport with the audience.  A fine performance.

Bark and Trunk:  a very amusing comic partnership which brought great fun to the show – and also to the raffle draw!  Good performances.

Three Little Pigs:  three great characters with good facial expression and body-language.  Amusing reactions to the Big Bad Wolf especially when he huffed and puffed to blow their houses down. 

Gerald:  was a good foil to gold-digger Ursula.

Jenny:  was good as Gerald’s shop assistant, diversifying the hardware stock and suffering unrequited love for Fin.

Fatman:  amusing in the weight-loss-plan visual joke, together with glamorous characters Marilyn and Sasha.

This was a lovely production of a well written and well devised pantomime, with some excellent lead characters whose energy created a really feisty storyline.  The relationships created onstage between the members of the cast were highly believable, and the action was non-stop, energetic and highly engaging.  The scenery, costumes, make-up, lighting, sound, acting, dancing and singing all contributed to a most enjoyable show. Congratulations!

Joseph and the amazing technicolour dreamcoat

Date	14th September 2023
Society	Melksham Music and Drama
Venue	Assembly Hall, Melksham
Type of production	Musical
Director	John Clark
Musical Director	Hannah Drury
Choerographer	Katy Mence & Penny Smart
Producer	Geoff Mitcham

Thank you for your kind invitation to report on your production of “Joseph…” which has been so long in coming to the stage.  However, your patience paid off handsomely as this was one of the best productions I have seen of this show.  There was much creativity in the staging and use of repeats of songs that made this a highly memorable show. The use of the script in a more modern setting worked very well, especially with Potiphar’s wife and her flirtation with Joseph, and the cowboy approach to “One More Angel”.  `It is these novel ideas that brought a new energy and verve to the production.

The set was very clever, with the small changes made for the various scenes being very subtle and unobtrusive. The bars of Joseph’s cell were very effective, the camels of the Ishmaelites were lovely and Potiphar’s pyramid and abacus were lovely touches!  I really liked the very authentic Egyptian scenes with the Anubis god figures in the background and the sphinx  – this showed that someone had been to Egypt!  The pit for Joseph, and his being attacked was very well done, with no obvious violence but a good effect.  The only part that might have been developed a little more perhaps was the scene with Pharoah.  He was the master of the known world and a god in his own right, after all.

The costumes were excellent!  They looked authentic and reflected the lack of surplus wealth of the time. The two coats for Joseph worked really well, with the final one being incredibly impressive. I liked that fact that the brothers were all dressed differently, in reflection of their differing characters.  And as for Potiphar’s wife – well, no wonder he was worried!

The music was very good, and complemented the singing well, with some of the awkward rhythms well controlled. The fact that the music was live was a real bonus to the cast, as they could be given time to breath and be expressive. The sound in general was very well handled and the lighting was very effective and on cue.

The choreography was very good and nicely varied, enabling the cast to stay in character whilst moving. Make up and hats and beards were well done and looked the part and hid the identity of the Ishmaelites completely. There was a lot of excellent detail in this production that showed a desire to make the production work well, and the sense of fun pervading the proceedings at times was wonderful!

However, it was the performers in the cast that made this production come alive, as they portrayed the individual characters so well and developed their personas beautifully. The leading characters are commented on below, but everyone in the cast, orchestra and backstage was important in staging the production.

Main Characters:

Narrators:  were well balanced, confident and clear with good voices.  Their partnership was excellent in the way they responded and reacted to each other and to the events portrayed.  Brilliant scene setter and story tellers!

Joseph:  had a superb voice and good stage presence.  He moved well and portrayed a stable and consistent character.  He reacted well with both the other players and with the audience.  His stillness at times was powerful.

Jacob:  played an excellent elder statesman and head of family.  His character was steady and impressive.  His singing was good.

Reuben:  a strong character and an excellent eldest brother of the tribe, particularly in the “One More Angel” song.   Very good voice, very well sung.  Loved his sense of fun!

Potiphar:  a nice portrayal of a miserly rich man, always worried that his wife was unfaithful.  Well sung.

Potiphar’s wife:  a wonderful flirtation bringing a change of mood to the scene as she attempted a determined seduction of Joseph.  Good singing voice.

The Baker and the Butler:  good contrast in characters, the Butler more stately and dignified, the Baker energetic and lively.  Both had very expressive body language – we felt their fear and their hope.

Pharaoh:  an impressive character with good stature, though the characterisation could have been a little stronger.  A good voice that he used well.

Altogether this was a highly enjoyable and unique take on the story of Joseph performed by a committed group of actor singers who formed a very close team.  There were statesmanship, jealousy, hope, fear and power all very well portrayed and infused with a vibrant sense of storytelling.  This was one of your best shows that I have seen. Congratulations to everyone involved! 

Dee Way and Joy Smith

N.B. Please note that these comments solely reflect the view of the Representative and can only relate to the performance seen.

The old woman who lived in the shoe NODA report

Date	10th February 2023
Society	Melksham Music and Drama
Venue	Rachel Fowler, Melksham
Type of production	Panto
Director	Joeanne Londors

Reviewed by Dee Way, District 14 Representative, Southwest Region, and Joy Smith

Thank you for your kind invitation to report on your recent production of this pantomime, which tells the tale of a developer who buys everyone out of a village – except the old woman in the shoe. The script is well written and devised, with lots of jokes, puns, and fun with the normal characters. This was a good choice of material for the company as it provided so much opportunity for farcical interpretation and creative presentation.

The scenery and set were vibrant with bright colours and contrasts in depicting the rural village, with villagers in bright coloured costumes. The opening song was well performed and cheerful, with natural voices being quite adequate for the small venue. The scene changes were well done, and well planned, although at times they did form a slight pause in the action. The use of the well outside the Shoe house was very well done, with holes in the flats cleverly used. The kitchen scene was great fun, with plenty of slapstick and misunderstandings creating wonderful havoc.

The music was recorded, and very well edited, with a good selection of songs, many of which I did not recognise but the audience thoroughly enjoyed. The singing was very good, with some lovely solos and duets. The sound effects were on time and added to the fun in many ways. The costumes were lovely: bright, cheerful and appropriate, with plenty of changes for the Dame and the leads.

However, the show focussed on the actors, who all played their parts with enthusiasm and energy – while the forgetful Baron was amazing in handling his mishaps!

Nanny Rose Trellis:  excellently portrayed as a traditional pantomime Dame, jokey and entertaining and with a powerful voice.  She interacted well with both audience and other cast members and her song “I feel like a woman,” sung with male chorus members in drag, was hilarious.  A memorable performance.

Baron Bootblack:  brilliantly portrayed as a wicked Baron (boo, hiss), his laugh-filled attempts to defraud the villagers and become a boot-polish mine owner failed when good overcame evil in true panto fashion.  A “polished” portrayal and great fun!

George Bootblack:  portrayed as boldly standing up to his villainous uncle and thwarting his dastardly con tricks.  His partnership with Alice showed good singing and dancing skills and his kiwi accent was great.

Alice Trellis:  portrayed as a sweet Principal Girl, helpful and good tempered.  Her singing and dancing were entertaining and she was particularly well matched with George.

Arthur Minute:  portrayed as an honest cobbler, rather slow and easily outwitted by smooth-talking customers.  Good delivery of the “Timpsons” joke, showing his amazement at the idea of increasing his range of stock.

Shiny Sam:  portrayed as a shoe-shine boy with very little boot-polish, he had excellent rapport with the audience who responded to his greetings with enthusiasm and laughter.  An enjoyable and amusing performance.

Burt Buckle and Betty Buckle:  portrayed as minor villains, henchmen of the Wicked Baron, Burt was a lively and energetic workman, briskly carrying out orders, while Betty was somewhat bemused and often puzzled.  A good partnership, particularly funny in the slapstick decorating scene.

The Genie of the Boot:  portrayed as a magical character and a force for good, helping to foil the Baron’s evil intentions.  An amusing performance in true panto style.

Farmer Furrow:  portrayed as a laid-back presence in the pantomime, he brought humour to the part with his facial expressions as he wandered around in an unconcerned manner.  The visual joke with the pink pig was good.

Mrs Bun:  was well portrayed as a domineering personality, rather upper class and proud of her importance in village life.

Berry fields, Roughly and Eton:  brought a cheerful, cheeky tone to the pantomime, adding to the fun. Their song “My Brother” was a delight.

As ever with this Society, there was enormous fun had by both cast and audience throughout the evening. It was very engaging to see a different story used as the basis of a pantomime, and with a novel script that told the story clearly and with a good sense of humour. The performance was perhaps slightly short on smooth flow, but this was more than made up for by the energy and fun that was had, and the very good detail in scenery and perfomance. Well done!

Dee Way & Joy Smith

N.B. Please note that these comments solely reflect the view of the Representative and can only relate to the performance seen.

Flint Street Nativity NODA report

Date	2nd September 2022
Society	Melksham Music and Drama
Venue	Rachel Fowler, Melksham
Type of production	Comedy
Directors	Donna Ruderman and Penny Smart

Reviewed by Joy Smith and Dee Way, District 14 Representative, Southwest Region

Thank you for your kind invitation to report on your production of “Flint Street Nativity”, one of the funniest shows I have seen recently. Taken from real life stories, this was a show for any season, despite it being about the first Christmas. The audience were transported back to primary school days, with adults playing 7-year-old children is captivating in itself, but to also have childlike scenery and props worked beautifully. I also loved the part towards the end where the actors played the children’s parents – this was very effective.

The direction was very good, with well thought out scene changes and continuity for a very well devised script, performed with liveliness and good pace. The themes embodied within the drama were clear: the frictions within a junior school class due to envy, victimisation, bullying, ostracising and dreamers. The stories of the home life problems of certain children were clearly linked to the various characters’ brought home the fact that children see their home life as normal, and carry its effects with them wherever they are – which is a sobering thought!

The simple scenery created a realistic primary school setting for the action, complete with a ‘child’ painted sheet backdrop and a bare Christmas tree in need of decorating. The case with the stick insect was well placed to be seen but not obscuring anyone’s view of the action, while the narrator was sited to the side. The white board was very effective in forming a frame to the main action, with Mrs Horrocks mysterious cupboard door just off-centre stage. The second Act saw the introduction of a ‘quiet corner’ with books, paints, swords and first aid kit – a lovely scenic comment on health and safety!

The music was on cue, with the typical false start, and the plan accompaniment to the carols felt as authentic as the off-key singing and forgetting of words – very difficult to do! Equally, the lighting – and lack of it! – was well timed and reminiscent of school productions. The image of Sticky as a shadow image at the close was lovely! The costumes were suitable and creative: the bar towel used for one of the ‘children’ in place of a tee-towel; the ass with the oversized donkey head and the dressing gown shepherds. These all worked brilliantly.

The props were excellent, down to the stick insect, the star, the map of Sirius and its constellation, the lambs that changed size and the parent’s programmes at the end being printed on while paper (ours were on black.)

However, it was the performances of the cast that created this memorable story, with such clear characters and personalities played with verve. Gabriel wants to play Mary, so ostracises her, Star dreams of being an astronaut, like his ‘uncle’, Herod/Joseph who is bullied by know-it-all Mary and dragged around the stage while waving to his parents, and the innkeeper who fancies Mary were all so well played. Frankincense speaks with a totally believable lisp, the narrator who mangles words and reads with difficulty, and the camel with the hindquarters itch and that sings off-key were so believable.

Altogether this was a very entertaining evening of school time memories – but with a twist. The production showed clearly how much home situations can affect young children in the way that they relate to their peers, Also the play showed how parental attitudes are reflected in their children. It made one think even while laughing out loud at the childish antics of the highly liberated actors. Yet the audience could all identify with the children portrayed. This was brilliant! Many congratulations to all involved!

Dee Way and Joy Smith

N.B. Please note that these comments solely reflect the view of the Representative and can only relate to the performance seen.

Ali-Baba and the forty thieves NODA report

Date	18th February 2022
Society	Melksham Music and Drama
Venue	Rachel Fowler, Melksham
Type of production	Pantomime
Directors	Ali Turrell and Katie Mence
Choreographers	Katie Mence

Report

Author: Dee Way, District 14 Representative, Southwest Region

Thank you for your kind invitation to report on your recent production of ‘Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves’. This tale from the Arabian nights is a wonderful mix of Eastern splendour and magical caves, exotic costumes and palaces, clear characters and sparkling treasure. As such, this pantomime version of the story was very well suited to MMAD. This was a very cheerful and happy show, where the teamwork of the cast shone through clearly, giving the audience a thoroughly entertaining spectacle full of variety, jokes, ad lib fun and energy. Congratulations!

The staging in the very restricted space in the hall was very well done, with good use made of the balcony and the railings, the exits through the audience and the cave. The scenery was well thought out, with reversable flats, large storage jars, a puppet show, a kebab stall, a series of doors, the stage-side curtain as a cliff and scarves decorating the railings. The costumes were brilliant, suitably Eastern and colourful, with the chains added for the belly dancers and the shoulder pads for the storyteller. Particularly impressive were the Dame’s many amusing outfits, especially the “doughnut” dress, with ‘her’ fabulous hats and wigs, and the excellent accessory of a beard! Mustafa the robber chief, was totally believable in the rich red fabric of his authentic looking outfit and eye-catching rings.  There was a lovely visual joke when Dame and Sharon appeared in identical pink bed-wear emphasising difference in their figures!

The lighting for this production was very good, with the cross-stage triple colour bars used to great effect and the tones of colour giving extra impact to the colourful costumes. The red lighting during the scene change worked very well. The occasional use of the star cloth was lovely, giving a lot of sparkle to the treasure. A special mention is needed for the joy of hearing natural voices on stage, in the dialogue and singing. The backing music was very well prepared and was effective while the singing was very good – even when the Dame was shouting. It amazed me how he could sing so off time and key being the musician he is! The Chorus numbers were lovely, with lots of jazzy movement and variety. One duet between Sofia and Ali Baba was most creative in making use of the balcony pillar.

One of the joys of a small venue is that everyone can see well and can feel involved in the action. The cast here were excellent at interacting with the audience, from the raffle ticket sellers at the beginning to the audience participation song before the finale. The script was very well used – and abused? – to create that intimacy and to keep the audience involved throughout the show. All the characters were very well portrayed and individual, so that one did not know at times where or whom to look at next!

Cinderella NODA report

Date	7th September 2019
Society	Melksham Music and Drama
Venue	Assembly Hall, Melksham
Type of Production	Musical
Director	Ali Turrell
Musical Director	Hannah Drury
Choreographer	Katy Mence & Penelope Taylor
Producer	Kevin Hodges