WEST HALLAM METHODIST CHURCH PANTOMIME

JACK AND THE BEANSTALK

       As in previous years October 2005 and the decision was made to take on our seventh full scale pantomime. The decision was not hard to make as the enthusiasm was still at a high level following the success of our previous productions and the decision to take on another pantomime and it to be “Jack and the Beanstalk” had been taken soon after our last production..

           Melanie Pierson, our producer, and Roger Wood took on the task of writing a suitable script, preferably with lots of characters, as there was a lot of interest in taking part, particularly amongst our young people. Out came the script, spot on for our requirements. Traditional, a good plot, plenty of places for songs and audience involvement but, guess what? still not enough parts. Mel. then took on modifying the script and adding the necessary extra characters. This time the script contained two cows and them singing as well, meeting our pantomime tradition of involving a large animal.

     Practices started in earnest in November after casting at the end of October, preceded by readings in September. December was a rest month and then the really hard work of learning lines and songs, finalising the choreography and deciding on scenery, stage layouts, lighting and sound began in January. Added to this was publicity, issuing the free tickets, producing scenery, borrowing, buying and hiring equipment, finalising and printing programmes, buying ice creams, designing and making costumes, organising rotas for all the jobs, the list was endless.

In the meantime tickets had gone beyond expectation, all tickets taken up for all six performances! one of our churches asking for a block booking of fifty. Whether this was because last year’s magic was still remembered or due to this year’s good publicity we can’t be certain.  Support was terrific from old friends and new.

         Six performances, over the two weekends, simply flew by with fantastic audiences and as usual each one was different. On the first Friday night we were honoured with the presence of the Mayor of Erewash and his consort. They told us they had had a great time. We have come to look forward to the support of the mayoral party each year.

We were told, by many of our audience members, that the highlights of this year’s pantomime were the little red hen, our dame and the onion selling frenchman.

         Enjoyable as it is to perform to live audiences, for all of the cast and back room boys and girls it was the fun, fellowship and working together that makes the real joy of the three months of involvement in the Methodist Pantomime.

         Keeping our pantomime clean and traditional, with lots of audience participation (and at a reasonable price!) we think is great outreach. Worshipping Jesus in the family of West Hallam Methodist Church can not only be fun but very rewarding to anyone. Why not give it a try?

         Our thanks go to the cast from the youngest who was seven years old to the oldest who is seventy – nine and to our backroom staff, our costume makers, our church and its organisations for their support, to local centres, radio, press and businesses for publicity sites, to those who lent us equipment and costumes and of course to those of you who came to laugh, hiss and boo and have a good time.

         SEE YOU NEXT YEAR

                                                                                                           Mike Sherwood