Archived News - Panto
Much Ado About ... Saying Thank You
The booing and hissing, laughing and jeering has all died down. The scenery has been dismantled and all the wonderful costumes have been packed away for another year.
This year's panto was an experiment, and we hoped the idea of a Shakespearean connection would not put people off, and it was noticeable from the reaction to the jokes that we had a very knowledgeable audience who really got into the spirit of the thing.
We would like to thank everyone involved for their assistance with the show. We had around 60 people involved, all of which except 4 from the local villages. From the director, through script writer, sound and lighting, actors, make up, hair, costumes, props, painting etc, everybody put in fantastic efforts, battling with the weather and other difficult outside situations, to put on a show (hopefully) enjoyed by nearly 500 people.
We are always impressed with our youngsters since as an age group they are always being criticised in the media. This year we gained quite a few more new actors and helpers but we are always on the lookout for more, particularly organisers. You don't need to go on stage, build scenery or sew costumes but we do need people to run publicity, organise rehearsal dates, and assist with general administration. If you think you've got some spare time, give it a go, it's great fun and very rewarding.
Once again, thanks to everyone who helped and all of you who came. And for all of you who didn't - boo and hiss.
We are always pleased to have feedback, good AND bad, so try the website on www.edlesbrayplayers.co.uk and contact us.
-- Pete and Ronnie
Edlesbray Players: Colour Me Happy
The Players held another very successful review on 16th May.
Called "Colour Me Happy" it featured the usual troupe of entertainers who entertained the enthusiastic audience with comedy, drama and song.
Our thanks go to Val Trantum and her Team who prepared and served Supper. The event raised over £400 to help to buy new stage curtains for the Village Hall.
The 2010 Pantomime is booked for Wednesday 20 January to Saturday 23 January. Put it in your diaries now.
Panto: The Final Frontier - Star Wreck
The Panto 2009 A Space Oddity
By the time you read this, all the parts for next years production will have been cast and the Director will be polishing her whip in preparation for an intense series of rehearsals to hone the actors and actresses into the finely tuned machine known as Edlesbray Players.
If you would like to keep an eye on what's happening, please check our website www.edlesbrayplayers.co.uk.
We still have vacancies for support staff for costumes, make-up and scenery so if you fancy helping, contact Pete or Ronnie.
The important dates for your diary next year are Wednesday to Saturday January 21st to 24th 2009. So keep at least one of these dates free.
We may be having a special fancy dress opening day party on the evening of Wednesday 21st so if you want to get into the spirit of things keep that date free. More information will be posted on the website nearer the dates.
Source: Focus, October 2008
Panto 2009 - Auditions
Auditions for actors for Panto 2009 will be held at the Coffee Tavern, Eaton Bray on the following two dates. If you are a budding actor we will be pleased to see you on either date. You do not need to attend both.
- Sunday 14th September between 2.30pm and 5.00pm
- Monday 15th September between 8.00pm and 10.30pm
We look forward to seeing you then, but if you are unable to attend either of these two dates please let us know asap.
Please contact us for more information.
Panto 2009 - A Space Oddity
Following the success of this year's Little Red Riding Hoodie, the time is nigh to start cranking the handle of the machine that's going to produce next year's effort. We have it in mind to do a modern, completely new Panto, a sort of Star Trek meets Dr Who.
As usual we need volunteers for all departments, but in particular we need someone to take charge of costumes, and someone to take a major role in set production.
Above all we need actors, male and female, large and small, young and old, experienced and novice. Whatever your interest we'll find something for you to do. It's great fun and very rewarding.
You know you've always meant to do something so do it now! Send us an e-mail to register your interest. You will not be committed to anything but we do need to know who's interested and we need to know NOW.
Don't wait. Do it now or we'll send round a space alien to turn you into a toad!
Contact Pete & Ronnie Farrar at www.edlesbrayplayers.co.uk
Little Red Riding Hoodie
Eaton Bray Panto is back with a vengeance!! The vengeance being in the form of Little Red Riding Hoodie and her naughty friends. The big bad wolf didn't really get a look in; it was the modern day youth that stole the show. (although I must say the wolf was in excellent costume, loved the detail from the hair on his head down to his hairy feet). This was a modern day version of the story which encompassed mobile phones, i-pods, mini skirts and chav speak The scenery was very professional, thanks to Pete Farrar and his team, (if you ever need any interior design done I am sure you can call on them).
The Panto opened with Gran in bed, but was it Gran from Linslade or Gran from the Catherine Tate show, I couldn't taste the difference! As soon as Rose Wood (Little Red Riding Hoodie) had conquered her nerves, she also gave an excellent performance, backed by all her young friends.
The larger than life Dame was in great form throughout, and although he tried very hard, sadly, he never found his love match. He attempted a liaison with the courier who was unfortunately "ginger beer (my favourite bit has to be the re-enactment of the potters wheel scene from the film "Ghost") and bantered with Sir John General who offered to do several things with his twelve bore (hopefully this went over the heads of the young children!) and yes, in case you were worried, Gordon Gray was once again appearing, full of enthusiasm and blow up sheep.
I know Ronnie and Pete are looking for comments as to how they can improve next years show, personally I would have liked to see a few more song and dance routines that we could all clap along to, but realise these take time to rehearse.
Thanks to Ronnie and Pete, Sonia and Brett for all their hard work.
-- Satisfied Customer
The dust has settled, the booing and hissing has died away, the makeup has been removed and the actors have all forgotten their lines. It's time to thank everyone involved in any way, however large or small, for their participation in the Panto.
First and foremost we would like to thank everyone who bought tickets and came to see the production. Without you we would have looked really stupid. We hope you enjoyed the show. Let us know if you have any comments, good or bad, and if you would be interested in helping next year's show.
There were over 50 people, plus the actors, involved in bringing it all together, so it's hard to name them all, but our thanks go to every one of them. They all worked superbly well and we could not have done without them.
Our special thanks go to Lincoln of Lincoln Design & Print Ltd who sponsored us by producing all our advertising posters, tickets, programmes and banners.
Hopefully the Panto is back for good, but we do always need people to help, however small the offer. The emphasis is always to have fun, the more help we get, the less stress there is and therefore the more enjoyable. So go on, give it a go.
The wolf's cool in Red Riding Hoodie
Panto is back in Eaton Bray - and it has teeth!!
It's been three years since families have enjoyed the fun of Edlesbray Players' seasonal spectaculars but the group is back with the funniest show yet.
There's a novel twist to the classic fairytale of Little Red Riding Hood and a clue can be found in the title. Little Red Riding Hoodie has been especially written for the players by director Pete Farrer with the aim of providing lots of laughs but keeping faith with the original storyline.
"I've stuck fairly close to the original story but in this tale Red gets mugged on her way back from granny's house.
"We try and make out that the wolf isn't really evil. He's just big and bad and a little bit misunderstood!
"It's the first time I've had a go at this so I'm keeping my fingers crossed it will be all right on the night!
"Things nearly didn't go according to plan when I walked out of rehearsals the other night and the wind blew my script away. We were all running around a graveyard in the dead of night trying to round up missing pages!"
"We hope the public will enjoy this grass roots panto. I know there are a lot of professional shows around at the moment but we aim to inject a bit of fun and hope that everyone will enjoy watching it as much as we enjoy performing in it."
Little Red Riding Hoodie is being performed at Eaton Bray Village Hall on January 24, 25 and 26, including a matinee performance on Saturday, Jan 26. Tickets are available from the Box Office (01525 222283). There is a licensed bar for all evening performances and a raffle.
Get the Leighton Buzzard Observer every Tuesday.
Source: Leighton Buzzard Observer, 15 January 2008
Your Panto Needs You!
Little Red Riding Hoodie
January 24th, 25th, 26th 2008
By the time this advert reaches you, the Edlesbray Players' machine should be well cranked up and crawling into action for your fun and frivolity for post Christmas entertainment.
Most of you who have expressed interest in the production have already registered and many of you will already be hard at work. However if you always meant to be involved and never got round to putting your name forward
DO IT NOW
Contact Pete or Ronnie
Source: Focus, October 2007