FROM TARANTINO TO TOAD HALL
The prenuptial agreement around the busiest period of the theatre calendar takes careful programme planning at the best of times and this year did not disappoint in the build up to the all time classic children’s story - ‘Toad Of Toad Hall’ whose month long run would take us seamlessly into 2008.
I am glad to report, as I did several months ago, that possible relationships between the new East 15 Acting Campus and the Palace Theatre are already being created, by the premiere of the first year Community Theatre students who presented ‘Only Orphans’ in the Dixon Studio back in October. The work was based on a real life orphan from the concentration camps in Germany in World War II and this information was brought to life by the creative collaboration by the new drama students at the Luker Road campus. The cast skillfully depicted the horrors and heartache of existing on a knife edge in the days of the German occupation and yet bought hope and joy to the watching audience by presenting the survivor, Alicia Koltonowska, to the audience at the curtain call as proof that adversity can triumph in older and harsher times. From the ever inventive Dixon studio came other varied and innovative offerings including ‘Fallen Angels’ from the perennially excellent Southend Shakespeare Society, ‘Family Circle’ from Southend Drama Society and the new play ‘Dark Justice’ from local production company, Angel In Pocket Productions. ‘Fallen Angels’ presented a little known Noel Coward gem to a select but devoted audience and was produced with the usual wit, flair and talent that this outstanding amateur society is so well known. Hot on the heels in terms of quality came the equally polished ‘Family Circle’ by rep theatre favourite, Alan Ayckbourn. The sheer strength and capability of every single performer bought this truly complex theatre piece to the Dixon’s small but appreciative audience – I think this would have been given the main house space – and would have taxed more experienced professionals. However, this discursive production space does not always provide an audience with the quality that it often delivers and this was, sadly, not the case with the new offering from local production company ‘Angel In Pocket Productions’ in association with Belfairs Media School. The subject matter of ‘Dark Justice’ proved too challenging to utilize in a low budget piece with a pro-ama cast and parts of the multi-layered story line resulted in over dramatic gestures that caused the adverse effect on the audience than was originally intended. Discrepancies between the digital aspects of the production and unexplained resolutions of the storyline resulted in a muddled affair that tried to tackle current socio-political issues of the day – such as foot and mouth disease and CJD transfers between animals and people - but resulted in often over dramatic statements and less than subtle acting techniques in order to express the message. Coupled with far too many blackouts between each scene, the result was an ambitious but incoherent offering whose complicated pretext seemed to dwarf its cast and production crew,
But returning to the main house and several outstanding offers from the infamous rake incorporated the whole theatrical spectrum that is currently touring. For the younger audiences, which will hopefully become the discerning punters of the future, came two offerings of literary adaptations in the form of ‘Macbeth ‘ and ‘Looking For JJ’. These productions were aimed primarily towards young people who are looking for palatable interpretations of timeless and modern classics in which to ingratiate themselves with. ‘ Looking for JJ ‘ came from the renowned Pilot Theatre Company that bought their own stunning version of ‘The Lord Of The Flies’ to the Palace Theatre in the last few years. The winner of the 2004 ‘Booktrust Teenage Book Award’, ‘Looking for JJ’ tells the controversial story of child killer, Jennifer Jones, in the struggle to reinvent her life after her childhood tragedy and the ensuring issues that accompany her history. With subtle digital images and creative use of the simple set, the play uses the mediums of projection and video simulation to bring this hard hitting story to life along with strong performances from the predominantly young cast. The classical tale of the dark tragedy of the Scottish king, ‘Macbeth’, had a cultural make over in the hands of the South Hill Park and Wales Theatre Company. Influences of modern movie mogul, Quentin Tarantino, infused this traditional tale of Celtic wrong doings and ingenious juxtapositions of brilliant vicissitude as the production wove itself in and out of Shakespearian vocabulary and modern cinematic images. I believe that this type of innovative and ground breaking creations are important in contemporary theatre in order to entice the audiences of tomorrow to be encouraged to contribute to the continuing success of repertory in this country.
For even younger attendees came fun and frolics in the shape of Roger Hargreaves’ all time favourite in ‘Mr. Men & Little Miss – Sports Day Fun’ where colourful costumes characters brought songs and laughter to children and their families. On the other end of the spectrum, more senior punters flocked to see the multi-talented Ron Moody take on the mantle of many of one of Britain’s most infamous literary creators – Charles Dickens in ‘Here’s Richness!’. As well as recreating one of his finest roles as Fagin, he brought life and light to many of his other infamous characters with a simple staged set and just scant pieces of costume to embellish his interpretations. Charismatic and captivating in turn, Ron Moody showed that sheer talent and creativity can outstrip any kind of structural or technical enhancement to a show as he held the audience through the sheer strength of his performance in this extraordinary tour de force one man show. It is safe to say that Ron Moody was matched word for word by another tour de force within the same month by relative newcomer to the theatre world even if not other forms of performance discipline. Fay Tozer, known best for her contribution to one of Britain’s best loved pop bands ‘Steps’, took on the daunting role of recreating the tragic persona of Eva Cassidy in ‘The Eva Cassidy Story’ - the talented song stress who also left her indelible mark on the contemporary music scene. No member of the audience was spared the emotional role call of her powerhouse performance, which chartered the short but highly charged life of the singer whose voice lives on through her music and devotees.
So to the end of a successful and varied programme in 2007, culminating in the eternally winsome and exquisite tale of ‘Toad of Toad Hall’ which has not lost its charm on audiences old and small, nearly a hundred years after it was first penned by its authour, Kenneth Grahame. A sublime cast that does not rely on star names to bring the audiences to witness this appealing and ethereal production complete with young talent from the local area. A multi-tasking cast make up the key roles of Toad, Ratty, Mole and Badger as well as a plethora of weasels, stoats and other wildlife favourites and my personal ne plus ultra – Horace the tap dancing equine! High on charm and low on modern gimmicks, this delightful and family friendly production follows the adventures of the ubiquitous Mr. Toad and his long suffering friends who seek alternative ways to keep their web footed friend under control from the lure of thrill seeking past times. Regular races around the auditorium brought the instantaneous and infectious energy right into the laps of the audience themselves and interactive fun with in the show guaranteed the rapt attention of the general public throughout the entire production. A delightful and charming Christmas show is a very fitting end to a productive year and here is to an even more productive and creative 2008 with greater audiences to attract through the many planned theatre clubs that will be based as the Palace as well as the productions themselves in the year to come.
Best wishes to you all for a very Happy New Year!
Southend Spyglass.