“You didn’t go? Oh it was very good.”
“Why who was in it?”
“Oh you know, the funny tall one, the short fat one, the one with a funny costume, and one the who sing’s very well!” “What about that good looking chap, was he in it again?”
“Yes and he can dance now too!”
“Ohhh, I wish I had gone now!”
“They had a good crowd, over 80 for each night”
“I didn’t know we had so many old people in the village”
“No, not over 80’s, but over 80 people in the audience”
“Oh, that’s not bad, what was the show about?”
“Well, they did some really funny sketches, one was about a man killing his adulterous wife”
“That’s not very funny! That’s not funny at all, the poor dear was probably just looking for some attention!”
“Oh, she was getting some attention alright!…Then there were some lovely songs and dancing, the younger ones did a lovely song”
“Ohhh I do like watching the younger ones’, I should have gone!”
“You should’ve. The girls did a number with a horn, a feather and some fairy lights…and then lots of uh- uh-uh’s”
“Ohhh, I bet that was good”
“Then they did this one thing where the women danced whilst the men read newspapers, then all the men showed us their knickers and suspenders!”
“There knickers and suspenders!”
“Yes, I saw it with my own eyes”
“Ohhh, I should have gone!!” “And at the end of they did this really good Bollywood dance with everyone on stage, and the costumes were all so bright and beautiful and they all danced so well. It made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up, and it’s been a long time since that has happened..know what I mean??”
“Ohhh, I should have gone!!”
“Yes, you should. And then after the break they did a lovely song, some very good tap dancing, some more funny sketches, and the tall funny one forgot his lines again, the table fell over on the other one…it was very good though. Then they finished with a fantastic 50’s show, it was just like a West End show with fantastic singing and dancing.”
“Ohh, I should have gone, I’ll definitely go next time. It sounds so good.”
“We are so lucky to have Dramarama in the village, and all that for £4, that’s almost the same price as McDonalds quarter pounder meal I’m gonna get in Strood”.
“Yeah I know, I’m gonna get a McFlurry too, wish the bus would hurry up”…
Who saw the show this year? It was another professional performance of all round entertainment. Singing/ dancing/ comedy sketches- it had it all. Another successful year, where the public get a fantastic evening out, all for less than a McDonalds Big Mac Meal. (There’s more ‘meat ’n veg’ in a Dramarama show too- so it’s good for the body… and the soul!).
But what about backstage? Everything looks great from the front, but no one ever gets to hear about the near disasters going on around the ears of the stage hands and the performers. There’s five minutes to go and the nerves are twitching. Richard’s telling everyone to make sure they smile- or else!
The last minute make up touches are being made. People can’t find their T-shirts/ skirts. There’s no room to swing a cat and the changing room is heaving with humidity and stressed out people. The pressure is building up and the tension is high. Richard is on stage reminding everyone to switch off their mobile phones. There’s a pause, the lights go out and then the performers in the first number walk out on stage, like lambs to the slaughter. It’s always hard for the first number to start off a show. You never know what the audience is going to be like (sometimes sophisticated, sometimes rowdy and sometimes asleep) and you are sure you going get the words wrong, never mind singing the right notes and finishing the song at ‘roughly’ the same time as Ian is playing!
The first number goes OK and the audience are clearly friendly. The performers breathe a sigh of relief and get off the stage as quickly as possible. Then the impressive stuff starts:
The curtains open to a scene in an orphanage, from the musical Annie. There’s some witty dialogue and a chance to see the real side of Hazel Beringer that normally only Fred Beringer, her husband, gets to see (a drunk Miss Hannigan, with more sass than a bottle of HP Sauce). The girls (ages ranging from five to fifty five) then launch into “It’s a Hard Knock Life”…… Wow, they never did it like that in rehearsals. Somehow, everyone was in time and it looked and sounded great! The audience had their breath taken away; and it was only the second number.
The show goes on with sketches, poems and songs. The standard of entertainment is high and there’s plenty to enjoy for everyone. But, no one sees or understands the quick changes going on. If the stage is empty and the curtain hangs for too long this is considered to be a disaster. When a performer goes on stage, it is usually at a running pace, with socks/ hats trousers and shoes trailing behind in a cloud of dust. There is a limit to the number of microphones available and they are hastily passed back and forth between scenes. Somehow, despite the chaos and the disasters, it all works out on the night!
There are a number of backdrop changes that are needed to be done quickly and quietly. That’s more than a little difficult when a rope snaps and heavy bits of timber come crashing to the floor! Then there’s the inflatable alien chair that’s deflated due to a slow puncture. It has to be re-inflated every night, in the time it takes for Fred to sing his song (how do you inflate something quietly? Did Fred notice the accompanying panting with his song?). Look around and you’ll spot the odd script taped to a table, or a menu or some other prop. What do you do when everyone’s forgetting their lines and the Star Trek sketch becomes a series of improvisations? What you do… carry on regardless and hope every one enjoys it (I think we got away with it Jim?)
One final note: this year, more than any other, the cast, en mass, seemed to enjoy performing and be more at ease. Maybe we’re getting more confident and experienced? Whatever it was, all of the audience feedback was more than just polite- it was enthusiastic and extremely encouraging. If you’ve never seen a Dramarama production before, then you’ve missed out on both a bargain, and a great piece of family entertainment. The next show will be the Pantomime “Robin Hood”, in February.
Noleen Scudder
Scene1 Dressing room High Halstow Village Hall.
Imagine a dressing room full, and I mean full, of half dressed people in various states of exhibitionism. The sounds of Ian Stone playing excerpts from previous shows can be heard wafting in from front of house.
Jane, Pauline’s daughter has missed the bus in Rochester and Pauline has gone to pick her up, Hilda is late home from work so husband Mick and son Alex are not here either and June has gone home for a clothes rack.)
(Enter George wearing only underpants and black socks)
Fred (already changed for the show and looking at his watch) “George 30 minutes to go”
George (shouts) “30 minutes”
(Extreme exhibitionism continues)
George (now wearing first number pirate costume shouts). “15 minutes”
Hazel (looking up at George) “Which way round do the switches need to be on this mic, It’s not working”
Still no Pauline Oh! And the radio mics need new batteries,
George “Give it here…. I’ll go change the batteries” (changes back to normal dress to go front of house exit dressing room door)
Mark (wearing only tights from his first scene captains costume) “Are the seams straight in the back of my tights”.
Denis “Are they your tights Mark??”
Geoff (being personally dressed and fussed over by Di) “Who’s moved my fish? That’s my lucky fish that is! I can’t go on without my fish who’s got my fish….”
George (enters dressing room door wearing only underpants and black socks shouts) “Seven minutes”
Enter The Woolmington’s (Hilda Mick & Alex) all calm and collected.
Mick “Are we late!!?”
George “5minutes..”
Pauline Enters rushing and flushed followed by Jane slowly and quite calm
Pauline Indignant “why aren’t you ready yet? The curtain must go up in 10 mins!!!”
George (wearing first number pirate costume shouts) “No Pauline 4 minutes!!”
Pauline (now frantically half naked) “Oh Sh .. ! Where’s Anita??”
Lyn Lambourne (wearing rear of cow costume from last years Panto) “Sorting out the raffle prizes.”
Hilda “Pauline! am I in the first scene??”
George shouts “1 minute…. places everybody!! …. where’s Gary”
Enter Gary carrying Hazel’s mic and eight gallons of water in four metal buckets that he is hiding from George)
Gary “I’ve changed the batteries in Hazels mic she said it doesn’t work”
Scene 2
Scene changes to immediately back stage
Lesley “Nobody’s turned the house lights off… who’s supposed to do that?”
Jenny “Richard’s got it under control”
Lesley “They should be off now!!…..Where’s George…”
Enter George wearing first number pirate costume
George “Why are the house lights still on!!”
(Exit George ripping clothing from his person)
(House lights dim queue the music! We’re off! )
Curtain up
It may all seem disjointed to you the audience! I can assure you it is! But we wouldn’t change a thing, except perhaps the hall.
GC
Cinderella 19/02/09
WELL!! a trans gender giant with an excruciating ugly sister, a heinously wicked stepmother. A prince and ‘man’ servant fit to raise the blood pressure! A butler who may be signed for the next 007 movie. Policemen and bailiffs to terrify any crook or debtor. Financially strapped aristocracy, refined royalty and a worryingly realistic village idiot! (I heard ‘Zits’ first of all but could not believe that the producer could be that cruel!).. Cooks, market traders and postmen all plugging the ‘farmers market’. Ghosts especially ‘drafted’ in from the churchyard. Throw in a couple of impromptu appearances from sweaty stagehands and MAGIC WAS MADE
Some admirable acting, delectable dancing, stylish singing (with one voice that would not go amiss on a west end stage) Good props and an enthusiastic production.
All this pooled from the rich vein of thespian and musical talent oozing through the Hoo Peninsular!
I nearly forgot to mention the prompt. Having been prompted by Lesley a few times, woe betide the poor trembling bit part actor who hesitates or stumbles over a line!!
As good an evening as could be wished for from an amateur drama group brimming with talent, enthusiasm and happiness.
At £4.00 a ticket (£5.50 at the Village Shop) oops! You could not go wrong.
I look forward to their next production which I am reliably informed will be Ian Fleming’s Moonraker staring Fred Beringer as 007 and George Crozer as Plenty O’Toole!!!
SEE YOU THERE
Derek Baker February 2009
Details to follow once agreed
Previous Shows
November 2018 – A Christmas Carol * A Few Words From The Director
June 2018 – Jack & The Beanstalk
June 2017 – The Pink Heron Club – Review
January 2017 – Pied Piper
September 2016 – Murder at Heronwood Falls Saloon -* The Menu * Wanted Poster
May 2016 – Do You Hear The People Sing
January 2016 – Sleeping Beauty
November 2015 – Murder Mystery * High Halstow Times * The Menu
September 2015 – A Taste Of The Musicals
January 2015 – Robinson Crusoe & The Pirates
September 2014 – Keep Smiling Through
January 2014 – Little Red Riding Hood
September 2013 – All Kinds of Everything
January 2013 – Snow White and the 7 Dwarfs * Photos * Review
June 2012 – Light The Lights & Play The Music * You Tube Videos
January 2012 – Aladdin – I Know That Face Preparation Video
June 2011 – Putting on the Glitz * Photos
January 2011 – Beauty And The Beast
July 2010 – Can’t Stop The Beat * Overheard At The Bus Stop In High Halstow
February 2010 – Dick Whittington And His Cat
July 2009 – Life Is A Cabaret -* Photos
February 2009 – Cinderella * Drama Rama Karma
July 2008 – A Decade Of Delights -* Photos
February 2008 – Jack And The Beanstalk
July 2007 – Everything’s Coming Up Roses
February 2007 – Captain Hook’s Revenge
July 2006 – The Gang’s All Here * Before The Curtain
February 2006 – Sleeping Beauty
October 2005 – Esther… A Tale Of Intrigue * Photos
July 2005 – Something Old Something New
February 2005 – Robin Hood
July 2004 – A Little Of What You Fancy * Backstage Pass Review
February 2004 – Journey To Oz
July 2003 – Razzle Dazzle
February 2003 – Robinson Crusoe
July 2002 – Anything Goes
February 2002 – Aladdin
November 2001 – Ruth
July 2001 – Another Opening Another Show
February 2001 – Snow White And The Seven Dwarves
July 2000 – That’s Entertainment
February 2000 – Cinderella
July 1999 – The Best Of Times
February 1999 – Around The World With Dick Whittington
July 1998 – Let’s All Go To The Music Hall
February 1998 – Up The Beanstalk With Mother Goose
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