LHMTC Press Archive

Christmas Show - 'Searching For Santa'

N.O.D.A. (East) Review
by Stephen Hayter - Region 4 Representative

LAVENDER HILL MOB THEATRE COMPANY
SEARCHING FOR SANTA

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Les Miles

MUSICAL DIRECTOR
Tim Rock

CHOREOGRAPHER
Laura Farr

Script and Lyric by Les Miles and Music and Orchestration by Tim Rock

Ok so here is the back story. 2014’s ‘A Christmas Carol’ was absolutely incredible. It almost was nominated for Best Musical and that was in direct competition with groups who do not have the same issues as this one. Inevitably the pantomime ‘Sleeping Beauty’ that followed left me just a little flat, but no harm done as the aforementioned triumph was always going to be a difficult act to follow. This time Panto had yielded to a musical original story called ‘Searching for Santa’ and I am delighted (and relieved) that after only 6 bars of the opening song I know it was going to be a winner!

'Searching for Santa’ tells the story of Megan and Jamie, and Dolly and Teddy (their toys) who are struggling to believe in Father Christmas. They follow their Nanny on a search for Santa and the journey takes them (and us) through some familiar pantomime stories. We are introduced to some very familiar pantomime characters and, of course, good triumphs over not-so-good (no sign anywhere of evil) and all ends well for Nanny, the children and their toys. It was a cracking story beautifully paced with book and lyric by Les Miles and music and orchestrations from (The Maestro) Tim Rock.

The Corn Exchange stage always looks it’s best when these guys come to visit, with outstanding backcloths combined with colourful lighting, smoke and sound effects, all creating a magical world for the performers. As is traditional in a Lavender Hill Mob show, there were always plenty of bodies on the stage and as usual, they were enthusiastic, well drilled and very focused. Singing was loud, and dancing (Laura Farr) was simple but effective.

In the supporting roles there was excellent work from Andy Russell, Emily Key. Josh Large, Alex Nadel, David Howard, Darius Elsdon-Bird and Jordan Winn with Alana Gemmell and Chantelle Booth making a nice job of Tweedle’s Dum and Dee. The ‘Alice in Wonderland’ Tea Party scene was amongst the many highlights, with crowd pleasing performances from Sheila Anderson as the March Hare, Helen Fenton as the Cat, Kacie Butler as the Dormouse and Callum Elsdon-Bird at the top of his game with a lovely interpretation of the White Rabbit. I find myself complementing Ford Bailey in every Lavender Hill Mob review, but what can I tell you, he was perfectly cast and managed to extend his range even further with a brilliant Mad Hatter. In a similar vein, Kerry Bensley showed what a top performer she is with her delightful Alice!

The Seven Dwarves (Dippy, Dozy, Snotty, Cheery, Misog, Cringy and Chief) where brought to life with some style by Lucia Seco-Abad, Lily Edwards, Phoebe Smith, Atarah Gilad, Sophia Dawson, Alex Nadel and Sarah Newman. It was nice to see KLFM’s Simon Rowe on stage via Satellite (video) and his recorded insertions which must have been quite a technical headache were executed almost flawlessly! Cerys Bush did well as the Squirrel, Jordan Winn equally so as the good-hearted Huntsman with the black-hearted task.

In the more significant roles I can confidently say that no ‘Mob’ show is complete without Zoe Adams, and this time out she turned in a good performance as banished Princess, Snow White. She had plenty of help from George Templeman as The Prince and another crowd-pleasing (although there was boo and hiss) performance from Tom Bains as The Evil Queen. Sarah Hawkins is an asset in any show and, as Jack’s Mum in the ‘Jack and The Beanstalk’ segment, she was as good as ever. Also raising the performances up a notch in the same section was the incredible Vicky Reed who was perfection as the Giants Mum, who was helped by a great characterisation from the extremely talented Matthew (he lets me call him 'Matty') Smedmor who made me laugh out loud twice during his performance.

Aside from Nanny (more of him/her in a moment), the story is carried along by central characters Megan, Jamie, Dolly and Teddy. The four of them worked well together and always looked confident with their words and relaxed in their movement around the stage. Alex Page (Teddy) Megan Matthews (Dolly) Ellie-Mae Smith (Jamie) and Rebecca Bush (Megan) were four of the most talented juveniles in this cast and could probably get a part in any of the local shows. Between them they handled comedy and pathos with equal ease and were the backbone of this production.

Penultimate paragraph honours were never in any doubt with this production, it just has to be Michael Miles as Nanny. Mr Miles always looks a good performer but I have been a little disappointed in the past with his grasp on the script. In this production he was completely different, so confident with lines, moves and song words, he glided effortlessly through the scenes scooping up displaced children and scenery without missing a beat. He was dressed as a woman but this was no dame character. His delicate and moving portrayal of the wise and omnipresent Nanny was truly a remarkable piece of work and lifted the whole show to a completely different level.

My profound congratulations to Les Miles and Tim Rock for getting the Mob back to their best so quickly. I have thought long and hard, and Christmas Carol notwithstanding, I think this was the best piece of work I have seen from this inspirational group. It contained Some of Mr Rock’s best songs (that I am still humming two days later) and a script that left me blubbing like a child at the Father Christmas Finale. When Megan notices that Jamie has spoken …. I was a hopeless wreck! Well done Lavender Hill Mob, I am so ready for Christmas!!!!!!!!!

Stephen P. E. Hayter

N.O.D.A. (East) Review
by Susan DuPont - Region 5 Representative

LAVENDER HILL MOB THEATRE COMPANY
SEARCHING FOR SANTA

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Les Miles

MUSICAL DIRECTOR
Tim Rock

CHOREOGRAPHER
Laura Farr

Script and Lyric by Les Miles and Music and Orchestration by Tim Rock

Thank you very much for the invitation to see Lavender Hill Mob Theatre Company in their production of ‘Searching for Santa’, and what an enjoyable evening for all. It is some time since I saw a show by the group and how the enterprise has expanded and developed; in fact the last time I saw you all was at Jim Farr’s Memorial Performance when you gave us that very moving song as tribute to him (and we all cried).

With ‘Searching for Santa’ being written especially for the Company, Les Miles (script and artistic director) and Tim Rock (music and orchestrations) can capitalise on all that latent talent, bring out the skills present and possible hidden skills, encourage and activate all those of lesser confidence to give the whole cast a story with music and movement (choreography Laura Farr) that they can realise and present with enthusiasm. Loved the story (shades of ‘Into the Woods’ Act 1 with the fairy tales) and the music was excellent and very tuneful, and sung very fully.

The story led by Nanny (Michael Miles with the Mrs Brown look but not language) in the nursery with Red Book Tales for Children and the animated and energetic Megan and Jamie of Rebecca Bush and Ellie-Mae Smith who participated throughout the show in the search for Santa; accompanied by the Doll and Teddy (Megan Matthews and Alex Page) this team had a lot to remember and to interact with the other characters that they met on route.

Liked the settings from Scenic Projects, certainly created the moods; and the magic wardrobe a clever innovation for entrances.

To Snow White’s story, a strong performance from this title role, Zoe Adams had presence and vocal and dance skills, and a good relationship with the dwarfs: Sarah Newman as Chief led the team well, and as expected the tiniest one steals the stage. A truly wicked Queen from Tom Bains and we loved to boo him as he plotted and manipulated the Huntsman (Jordan Winn). As the Prince, George Templeman looked good and delivered his lines with good pointing and clarity, well done. And a starring Mirror of personality!

On to Alice’s Adventures and an energetic Rabbit from Callum Elsdon-Bird as he sped around the auditorium. A very credible Alice with clarity of diction from Kerry Bensley trying to control the plot and interacted well with the rest of Wonderland. An outgoing and extravert Mad Hatter by Ford Bailey accompanied by March Hare Sheila Anderson and the delightful Dormouse in a teapot of Kacie Butler made a good tea party. And the Royals of Hearts: the Queen confidently and dominantly played by David Howard and accompanied by King (Jordan Winn) and the Knave who caused the troubles, Darius Elsdon Bird. Loved the Tweedles of Alana Gemmell and Chantelle Booth with their baggy trousers, their comedy timing but especially their energy in the song and dance routines.

Of course Daisy was the star before the beans, and Jack (Alex Nadel) gave a strong performance in his tale as we met his Mum (Sarah Hawkins) as well as those up the beanstalk (well done with the dance effects and growing). The classic tale well told with excellent performances from the Giant (Matthew Smedmor) and his Mum (Vicky Reed), the big caged Bird (Andy Russell) and sweet singing Melody (Emily Key), and of course another Prince (Josh Large): this sequence particularly strong throughout.

And on to the finale and the search is complete! The show really is memorable not only for the story, music and individual named portrayals, but for the whole Company feel: the warmth and energy and enthusiasm of all in the music and movement and the general involvement of all regardless of the mixed abilities and ages; and with this encouragement to all to gain confidence and ability comes the enjoyment of participation and being a part of a happy family with great friendships and a further look at life, very rewarding for all involved. It takes a huge commitment to put on a production of this scale and the many helpers should be thanked and applauded. Thank you for inviting me to an evening of warm atmosphere and achievement for all, and I am pleased that the audiences are good and also feel that it was a worthwhile time spent in your company.

Susan DuPont