LHMTC Press Archive

Spring Pantomime - 'A Christmas Story'

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

LAVENDER HILL MOB THEATRE COMPANY
A CHRISTMAS STORY

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Les Miles

MUSICAL DIRECTOR
Tim Rock

CHOREOGRAPHER/CO-PRODUCER
Jamie John

DIRECTOR OF ACTING
John Wrigley


Script & Adaptations by Les Miles
Music and Orchestration by Tim Rock
 

Once again, thank you very much for inviting me, and importantly Su, to see the LHMTC pre-Christmas production at the Corn Exchange, and again how well it went.

A different and clever theme this year with the four celebration styles 1939, 1959, 1979, 1999  showing how life has moved on through history and Christmas celebration. The actors maintained their characters as they aged and the generations changed, and we had to smile at how some things used to be. (No doubt a good history lesson to the rest of the cast)

Comperes and professional tutors gave their time generously in the links and entertainments in the programme with the LHTMC youngsters really putting on the energy and the style in their interludes.

I see that a lot of the regulars missing this year as they go off to college and we did miss them all. However the new young intake did well and gained great experience and confidence with their appearances in this production. I am always impressed at what is achieved with all the work put in and how much the youngsters enjoy it all and come on during the production period. As expected great energy in all the songs and dances and they looked good in the costumes, in fact I would have liked longer and more numbers from this younger phalanx of performers, but no doubt their time will come in the pantomime. The finale group singing is always my special favourite in any LHMTC performance and we were not disappointed, just wanted it to go on.

Once again the star in the signing corner, Vicky Reed excelled again this year, how does she keep the concentration for a whole performance, well done to her

Susan DuPont

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

LAVENDER HILL MOB THEATRE COMPANY
A CHRISTMAS STORY

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Les Miles

MUSICAL DIRECTOR
Tim Rock

CHOREOGRAPHER/CO-PRODUCER
Jamie John

DIRECTOR OF ACTING
John Wrigley


Scripts & Adaptations by Les Miles
Music and Orchestration by Tim Rock
 

It seems incredible, but as I draw towards the end of my 6 years as NODA Representative for Area 4 North, I can still be surprised. I remember well my first visit to see a Lavender Hill Mob Theatre Company production and I remember equally well how I didn’t quite get it. My lack of understanding stemmed from not knowing what the group was all about and my eyes were quickly opened. As the years (and LHMTC shows) rolled on, I did get it, and I loved it. Reviewing a performing company who operate on a different plain to everyone else is never easy but, with time, I think I found a way of doing it right.  Over those years the shows got better and better and with ‘A Christmas Carol’ in 2014 this group received a NODA nomination in direct and unadjusted competition with more “conventional” groups. To understand the enormity of this achievement you have to consider the obstacles and hurdles required to be leapt over just to get The LHMTC crew on stage in any sort of show. Earlier this year I was completely blown away by ‘Snow White and The Seven Dwarfs’ which was produced on an enormous scale. For 2018’s Christmas offering it was ‘A Christmas Story’ and, as I took my seat in King’s Lynn’s fine Corn Exchange, the auditorium was randomly illuminated with appropriately flashing merchandise most of which seemed to be worn on the head.

The show this year was in a different format to last year. It was to be a review show with assorted musical insertions and an excellent family Christmas across the decades vignette running through. The assorted components were linked by John Wrigley and Jamie John, both of whom have worked with this group extensively over the years. I looked back over all my previous reviews and noted that this format has been used by the LHMTC before with Les Miles and Sharon Yates (I think) doing the links. It was all very much in keeping with everything I had seen before, right up to John Wrigley’s delivery of ‘Matchstalk Men and Matchstalk Cats and Dogs’. This was (much to my surprise) the ex UK No. 1 and not a Tim Rock original. I racked my brain and (whilst I could be wrong) I could not remember any of the fantastic songs over the many shows not being Tim Rock originals. It transpired that there were a lot of cover songs in this show which seemed in conflict with previous strategy.

The scenery (Scenic Projects) was all fine and dandy but perhaps just a little less spectacular than last year. Set and props (Andy Russell) co-ordinated well and it all hung together nicely, accomplishing everything it needed to achieve which included facilitating all that went on in front of it. Lighting (Jason Elms with follow-spot operation by Carl Smith) were just the job, and sound (Tim Rock) was bang on as you would expect. Costumes (Michelle Smith, Luane Cott and Sue Winn) did seem a little less plentiful than last time out but caused me no offence whatsoever. Complimentary make up and wigs (Luane Cott and Jamie John) lifted things nicely without overwhelming the overall visage. A special mention for special effects (Emotive Sound and Light) for providing a truly spectacular dry ice effect that just took my breath away.

Before I say anything more, I have to note that all those in the audience seemed to be enjoying themselves as usual. I however found the mix a little disappointing. Before you all reach for the pitchforks and flaming torches let me explain that statement. As the two front men, MC’s John Wrigley and Jamie John were extremely professional and Jamie John in particular proving why he is such a successful professional performer. I laughed at the jokes and respected the standard of the delivery. But … (there is always a but) in my opinion (others available, I have no doubt) it took up too much of the show and I had gone there to see the pupils and not the teachers. I noted a little audience exasperation in the second half as a pointless battle between Mr Wrigley and a front row heckler became obtrusive and a little overly aggressive. Mr Wrigley is clearly a master of stagecraft, but picking a fight with someone who is amplified by the floor mics and clearly has no concept of the rules of the heckle was a little reckless. It wasted too much time and stopped being amusing after the interval.

As I scanned the programme prior to curtain up looking for familiar names I observed (with some sadness) that the name of Zoe Adams was missing. Miss Adams seems to have been a fixture of The Lavender Hill Mob shows for as long as I have been around and latterly her choreography has always been a delight. The movement she sets seems to understand completely the people who will be delivering it and always make them look as good as they can possibly be. There didn’t seem to be as much dancing in this production but having said that Principal dancers, Alex Page, Gabrielle Short, Sophia Dawson, Kacie Butler, Cloe Kitson and Lana Jones, put on a good show augmented by Ensemble dancers George Templeman, Vicky Reed, Sarah Newman, Chantelle Simpson and Lily Edwards.

The highlight of the performance (for me at least) was the montage of Christmas’s from 1939,1959,1979 and1999. Four lovely playlets, all beautifully written and acted with some considerable style by many of this group’s best performers. My hat is off to : Andy Russell, Luane Cott, Tom Bains, Phoebe Smith, Conor Jones, Callum Elsdon-Bird, Emily Butler, Jordan Winn, Josh Gibbs, Josh Large, Darcy Grant, Richard Winn, Sarah Hawkins, Lana Jones and Ellie-Mae Smith. The characters they portrayed followed all the family members through the years and as I watched children become fathers and fathers become grandfathers, I really got quite emotional. The final segment of the four even included those who had passed on and had be blubbing uncontrollably. Beautiful dialogue well delivered by all concerned with special mention of Emily Butler and Jordan Winn who always deliver the goods in every LHMTC show.

Penultimate paragraph honours were only ever going one way and it was just such a relief that, with all of the perceived changes in this performance, the most wonderful person ever to have graced the Corn Exchange stage was still there. Still delivering, hour after hour of top quality sign language and making me cry just by looking at her. It is watching performers like Vicky Reed that makes me love these shows so much and it is to her that penultimate paragraph honours are awarded. Whatever else may have changed Lavender Hill Mob, don’t ever change Miss Reed and her essential contribution.

My compliments as ever go to Co-Producers Les Miles and Jamie John, Musical Director, Tim Rock and Director of Acting, John Wrigley. As I have said continuously over my shift as the ‘NODA Man’, anybody who gets any show to the stage in one piece deserves a medal and this is group is special in so many ways that the achievement is always that much greater. This show had a completely different look to it from the bulk of the previous productions and I was surprised that more than 10 minutes was devoted to a collection of well known Christmas classics sung without much movement. I love all Christmas songs old and new but ….. I have just got used to hearing Tim Rock’s original pieces of genius and I would be lying if I didn’t admit it will take a little adjustment. I am also used to seeing a lot of people on stage and it may have just been the format change (or maybe my eyesight) but there looked to be less than with ‘Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs’. Congratulations to all those involved onstage and backstage for another uplifting show. I always enjoyed the LHMTC output but I would be dishonest if I did not confess that this was not in the same league as April’s masterpiece. Thank you for having me around guy’s, it has been an honour and a privilege. Luck and love for the future to everyone involved with The Lavender Hill Mob Theatre Company.

Stephen P. E. Hayter