Press extract and Photographs courtesy of David Hammond
| The Selborne Players production Dick Whittington and His Cat, which played for three performances at Selborne Village
Hall on January 17th and 18th [2003] is being hailed as "the best ever" by those who saw it. The audiences
emerged 'pun-ch' drunk as the cast of 16 made the most of an excellent script written by New Forest author Stuart
Ardern. Once again under the direction of Dave Hammond this production was everything that a traditional pantomime should be. Filled with laughter, audience participation, songs, action and most of all a cast who's enthusiasm, skill and obvious joy transferred itself to an enthralled and appreciative audience. (oh .. and a camel!) Emma Rouse played the lead role of Dick, in true thigh slapping tradition. Emma acted and sang beautifully as she portrayed Dick with the innocence and bravado of a youth seeking his fortune, to emerge in the end, by winning his love and the riches he desires. The object of Dick's affection, Alice-Esmerelda (a name which prompted the immortal line - the bells Esmerelda, the bells!!) was taken by Megan-Beth Hammond, who in true "Fame" fashion stepped in only two weeks previously to give a polished and confident performance as the oft kidnapped daughter of the Lord Mayor of London. Her father, Lord Howard was played by one of a number of new recruits to the Players ranks, James Marnan. James's portrayal of the rich, tight-fisted employer was very well crafted and most convincing and he certainly looked the part. Central comic characters were the 'resting actors', led by another Players first-timer, Simon Downing, who's professional acting experience helped bring out the best in his fellow players. Sarah Goodson playing Stackpole, and Sue Elderton as Broadbent made up the trio who worked brilliantly to 'pun - ish' the audience with well timed jokes, and took every opportunity to 'ham it up' to great effect. |
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Cast and Crew from Selborne Players' production of Dick Whittington and His Cat |
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Dick Whittington (Emma Rouse) is in the centre, behind the
cat (Jo Dinnematin). |
| A big favourite with the audience, and in particular the children, was Fatima the Camel [courtesy of Colbury and Ashurst Theatrical Society], who, with Al-Gebra's assistance, danced not only the Time-Warp but also did a 'four-footed tap-dance' to accompany his song. Underneath a wonderfully convincing costume were Eleanor McGowan, in her first ever show and Megan-Beth Hammond - a feat which required some super fast costume changes, as at one point both Alice-Esmerelda and the camel were on stage at the same time! |
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Al-Gebra (Nicholas James) introduces Fatima the Camel (Eleanor McGowan and Megan-Beth Hammond) |
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Lets start from the beginning, |
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Centre stage: Abacus (Nicholas James) and Olaf the Norse (Doug Allen) |
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We meet Canon Shott, a Spoonerising Cook and, of course, our hero |
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William Rouse, Dave Hammond (in a splendid wig) and Emma Rouse |
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There is a bit of trouble with rats... |
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I don't know who they are, all rats look the same to me! |
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Followed by big trouble... |
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Dick Whittington (Emma Rouse) and the cat (Jo Dinnematin) encounter an extra large rat (Doug Allen) |
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A sea voyage is planned |
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Megan-Beth Hammond, Emma Rouse, Simon Downing, Sarah Goodson, Dave Hammond (again) and Colin Belcher |
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Followed by the inevitable shipwreck on a foreign shore where we meet the mysterious merchant and his camel |
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Al-Gebra (Nicholas James), Fatima the Camel (Eleanor McGowan and
Megan-Beth Hammond), Bill the Bard (Simon Downing), |
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Who make a song and dance about it |
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What a lovely mover that camel is. |
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Then there's the shake with a few problems |
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The main problem being that it's Dave Hammond again, and he's also supposed to be on the stage as the cook |
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And finally the show goes with a bang |
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Megan-Beth Hammond, William Rouse, Sarah Goodson, Jo Dinnematin, Emma Rouse, Sue Elderton and Simon Downing |
