The History Of Lilleshall Pantomine
Peter Pan - 2006
Following the great sucess and fun of last year's Show, Celia Fox agreed to write what she said would be her swan song as after nineteen years with the Group, she felt it was time to stand down and let some of the new (and younger!) members take over and ensure the continued success of the Pantomime with new ideas and new innovations.
This year, Roy Fox suggested it was time that Lilleshall Pantomime had its own original musical score. This was one innovation that the Group had never taken on. Roy was challenged to write one for the new Pantomime which was agreed to be Peter Pan.
He rose to this challenge with enthusiasm and by the time the rehearsals started, there were eight original songs for the cast to learn. The songs, covered many styles (as asked for by the Director) from Calypso to Rock and Roll, from poignant Ballad to Comedy. The cast enjoyed the new songs very much and they were well received by audiences too! Much praise was heaped upon the Group for performing another delightful Show and many accolades given to Roy for his creative music!
The Group took on a very well known story and gave it our own inimitable Lilleshall slant. Peter Pan was played by Sian Workman with Wendy played by Katie Tomlinson. They made a charming pairing and sang together beautifully. It was lovely, once again to see two of our younger cast move on to take leading roles and they both performed with flair. Sian's father, Bill Workman played Jukes, Captain Hook's right hand (...geddit..'right hand' man... oh please yourselves!) while Katie's father, Ken Tomlinson played Captain Hook as a deliciously nasty character with a bit of history as explained in his song (written by Roy) and in a short sequence of story - telling and jokes, (written by Bill).
A super group of children from the local primary school played the lost boys, while the women in the cast portrayed the tribe of Indians, led by Big Chief Hole in the Ground (Robert Watson Jones) and his son, Little Running Feet (played by Harley Preen). You may well ask why the tribe were all women but as Big Chief explains "You live your life, your way, I'll live my life, my way!"
With Captain Hook aboard the Jolly Roger, were pirates Cecco, played by Godfrey Spurr (with an italian accent, this time!) Mullins, played by Kim Allwood (a new member of the Group) and Starkey, played by Robyn Goddard. This gang of pirates was completed by Smee, played by Jon Vince as a rather reluctant pirate but somewhat anarchic character who created mayhem and endless problems for Captain Hook, and Smee's 'Shadow' - Noodler, played by Rhian Workman who assisted in causing mayhem and saving Tiger Lily, Peter Pan, Wendy and The Lost Boys from Captain Hooks' hook!. Ken Tomlinson also played Mr Darling and his wife, Mrs Darling was played by Sam Lampitt, who also played Tiger Lily as a determined and brave indian princess. Sam's two daughters were also involved, Charlotte, taking on the role of Tinkerbell (performing really well as the cheeky and stubborn fairy) and Victoria, as one of the lost boys.
Rob Lampitt had now taken over as Lighting Manager, so the whole family was involved. A great comic moment this year (written by Bill Workman) was the sketch between Cecco and the Indian brave, Little Fluffy Bun concerning mixed up communication between Cecco and Big Chief about a trial set by the chief in order to win Little Fluffy Bun. There was to be a bear that had to be shot and a squaw to be ravished...let's just say a there must have been a very bemused bear out in the forest... and Little Fluffy Bun didn't get her man! It was all great fun and audiences were very appreciative. The highs of the performances and camaraderie at the after Show party were tempered a little by the announcement that Evelyn Wales, who had been the Producer and organiser for so many years, was retiring from the Group, as was Eleanor Jones, who played the music. Both were thought of extremely highly by all in the Group and will be missed greatly. The group wished them well. As Celia Fox, past scriptwriter, Director and scenery designer, said, now was the time for all the new members to take over and move Lilleshall pantomime into a new era. Those leaving the Group wished all the new members, taking over, all the luck, laughter and fun in the world.