easthampshire.org

How lovely it was to see such a large cast for this production, they could have filled a much larger stage! Headley Theatre Club is to be commended for encouraging so much interest from such a wide range of ages and this was reflected in this enthusiastic presentation.

The production team must have spent many hours preparing the sets, the costumes, the props, the lighting and sound effects which were all to a very high standard indeed. I particularly liked the soldier/nutcracker which was obviously visible at the back of the hall.

The stage size did make for some limitations for the choreographer though the fights were well done.

Anastazja Kendal was charming as Clara and her singing was pure and clear. Adam Ferguson as Frederick, brother to Clara, showed much eagerness but did occasionally need a little prompting but then it was a very big part for such a young boy.

Luke Oates was gloriously over the top as the evil Gnawman, the Mouse King, with his huge voice and presence on stage so there was much booing and hissing whenever he appeared, as befits a pantomime. He was ably accompanied by Tina Wareham as the wicked enchantress Madria.

Needless to say that there was much cheering when the Mouse King and his Mouseliers eventually got their comeuppance and were reduced to being chocolate mice. Appropriately, chocolate had been their favourite food!

Their demise had been engineered by a combination of Sergeant Rock played by David Burnham, Corporal Fudge well played by Mel White and Prince Nikki, the hero Nutcracker valiantly played by Terrie Howey. They had enlisted the help of Mark Spiller’s Twitt, a magical owl and most importantly that of Uncle Drosselmeyer, the inventor supreme.

Rod Sharp was magnificent as the old uncle, never losing his Germanic accent and always acted in character. He subtly made sure that the younger members of the cast were comfortable with their roles, in the correct places and on cue. His assistants Kurt and Weil i.e. Martin Wellen and Peter Glinn, were also larger than life with strong carrying voices and Karina Farnlucher was good in her role as the Sugar Plum Fairy.

I think that Tchaikowsky would have been pleased with this “pantomime he nearly wrote” to quote the director Jo Smith. He must be congratulated for a most entertaining, fun performance with lots of traditional innuendo, baddies and goodies, including sweeties for the children in the audience early on which set the tone for this enjoyable show. Well done Headley Theatre Club.

Performances are :

• Fri 13th at 8pm
• Sat 14th matinee 2.30pm
• Sat 14th at 8pm
• Fri 20th at 8pm
• Sat 21st matinee 2.30pm
• Sat 21st 8pm

Order tickets online or get them from:

• Tina’s Hairdressers, High Street, Headley
• Whittles Post Office, Eddey’s Lane, Headley Down
• Magical Rooms, Headley Road, Grayshott
  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

easthampshire.org group:

• Headley Theatre Club

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