The Farndale Ladies have ambitions! Bolstered by the success of 'Macbeth' they feel that Gilbert and Sullivan's Mikado is waiting just for them. So, despite the numerous problems with casting, scenery and costumes, Mrs Reece presses onward. But as first night approaches... another problem; the laying low of several of the chorus after a surfeit of potted shrimps! But Mrs Wostenholme (herself bedridden) volunteers her three grand-daughters. Relief! Then on opening night disaster strikes again! Can the Rev. Bishop save the day? Can the show go on? Of course it can! So, ladies and gentlemen, for you tonight, the FAHETGOS (who admit they can't sing, they can't dance and they can't act) present their version of The Mikado.
The Cast
Mikado - Irene Whitehouse
Nanki-Poo - Megan Abbott
Ko-Ko - Monica Gregory
Mrs Reece - Julie Bjerregaard
Yum-Yum - Susan Power
Rev. Reg Bishop - Peter Fiddling
Peep-Bo - Claire Cooper
Katisha - Helen Wagg
Gwyneth - Kate Ayres
Doreen Bird - Karen Girdwood
Marjory Dawson - Anna Richardson
Ann Dover - Jenny Baxter
Hermione Elkin - Margaret Mould
Beryl Jenkins - Jane Pearce
David Plummer (Producer) - Hugh Pearce
Georgia Scott - Mary Burman
Kitty Smith - Martina Watkins
Kerry Smith - Maryann Watkins
Pat Thomson - Elaine Carpenter
Sheila Underwood - Rachel Marshall
The Orchestra
Piano - Kate Mould
Flute - Sophie Powley
Clarinet - Steve Brooks
Bassoon - Chloe Power
Violin - Amy Power
Viola - Josh Williams
Cello - Rachel Johnson
Bass - Sam Peach
Trombone - Tammy Horscroft
Percussion - Debbie Hiles
The Crew
Director - Kate Ayres
Musical Director - Kate Mould
Choreographer - Kate Ayres
Beryl's dances - Jane Pearce
Stage Manager - Richard Bennett
Stage Crew - Daniel Mycock
Set Painting and Construction - Simon Carpenter, David Cooper, Steve Gregory, Matthew Kerslake, Hugh Pearce, Amy Sharp
UV Props - Margaret Mould
Origami - Kate Mould
Cosumts and Wigs - Margaret Mould
Assisted By - Kate Carpenter, Eileen Cook
With thanks to - Judy Parsons
Light and Sound - Barry Ayres
Box Office - Chip and Kate Carpenter
Programme - Kate Ayres
Poster Design - Claire Cooper
Front of House - John Collins and Members of the Society
Dragon created and kindly loaned by the children of Sporle C of E Primary School
Maypole kindly loaned by Northwold Primary School
Mikado - Irene Whitehouse
Nanki-Poo - Megan Abbott
Ko-Ko - Monica Gregory
Mrs Reece - Julie Bjerregaard
Yum-Yum - Susan Power
Rev. Reg Bishop - Peter Fiddling
Peep-Bo - Claire Cooper
Katisha - Helen Wagg
Gwyneth - Kate Ayres
Doreen Bird - Karen Girdwood
Marjory Dawson - Anna Richardson
Ann Dover - Jenny Baxter
Hermione Elkin - Margaret Mould
Beryl Jenkins - Jane Pearce
David Plummer (Producer) - Hugh Pearce
Georgia Scott - Mary Burman
Kitty Smith - Martina Watkins
Kerry Smith - Maryann Watkins
Pat Thomson - Elaine Carpenter
Sheila Underwood - Rachel Marshall
The Orchestra
Piano - Kate Mould
Flute - Sophie Powley
Clarinet - Steve Brooks
Bassoon - Chloe Power
Violin - Amy Power
Viola - Josh Williams
Cello - Rachel Johnson
Bass - Sam Peach
Trombone - Tammy Horscroft
Percussion - Debbie Hiles
The Crew
Director - Kate Ayres
Musical Director - Kate Mould
Choreographer - Kate Ayres
Beryl's dances - Jane Pearce
Stage Manager - Richard Bennett
Stage Crew - Daniel Mycock
Set Painting and Construction - Simon Carpenter, David Cooper, Steve Gregory, Matthew Kerslake, Hugh Pearce, Amy Sharp
UV Props - Margaret Mould
Origami - Kate Mould
Cosumts and Wigs - Margaret Mould
Assisted By - Kate Carpenter, Eileen Cook
With thanks to - Judy Parsons
Light and Sound - Barry Ayres
Box Office - Chip and Kate Carpenter
Programme - Kate Ayres
Poster Design - Claire Cooper
Front of House - John Collins and Members of the Society
Dragon created and kindly loaned by the children of Sporle C of E Primary School
Maypole kindly loaned by Northwold Primary School
Review - Eastern Daily Press
"This enterprising group has always risen to the challenge of venturing into uncharted theatrical territory ad its latest production is certainly different. The talented cast of actresses and musicians have worked hard in rehearsal under first-time director Kate Ayres to ensure that all is definitely not all right on the night. It is laugh-out-loud stuff all the way in this hilarious spoof of an am dram's performance of Gilberts and Sullivan's The Mikado. The unpolished performance from the Guild ladies is a hoot from start to finish, and while musical mayhem erupts on and off stage, the belly laughs from the audience fill the auditorium. The battle between the cast and the orchestra is almost a show on its own. While some among the audience may have abandoned early on trying to work out what is going on and who is playing whom, suffice to say there were some wonderful performances from the leading players. Among these are the wonderful Joyce Grenfell-style performance by the talented Julie Bjerregaard as Mrs Reece, trying desperately
to keep her head whilst all those around her are losing theirs, Monica Gregory maintaining the dead-pan style as Ko-Ko, the delightful Megan Abbott as Nanki-Poo and the excellent portrayal of Yum-Yum by Susan Power. The sole male role (poor chap) is played by Player's veteran Peter Fidling who kept us all in stitches as the man in the cloth Reg Bishop. Just as we once watched the deliberate dreadful piano playing of the late great comic Les Dawson, how we marvelled at how good the Watlington cast are at being 'bad'."
Richard Parr
June 2009
"This enterprising group has always risen to the challenge of venturing into uncharted theatrical territory ad its latest production is certainly different. The talented cast of actresses and musicians have worked hard in rehearsal under first-time director Kate Ayres to ensure that all is definitely not all right on the night. It is laugh-out-loud stuff all the way in this hilarious spoof of an am dram's performance of Gilberts and Sullivan's The Mikado. The unpolished performance from the Guild ladies is a hoot from start to finish, and while musical mayhem erupts on and off stage, the belly laughs from the audience fill the auditorium. The battle between the cast and the orchestra is almost a show on its own. While some among the audience may have abandoned early on trying to work out what is going on and who is playing whom, suffice to say there were some wonderful performances from the leading players. Among these are the wonderful Joyce Grenfell-style performance by the talented Julie Bjerregaard as Mrs Reece, trying desperately
to keep her head whilst all those around her are losing theirs, Monica Gregory maintaining the dead-pan style as Ko-Ko, the delightful Megan Abbott as Nanki-Poo and the excellent portrayal of Yum-Yum by Susan Power. The sole male role (poor chap) is played by Player's veteran Peter Fidling who kept us all in stitches as the man in the cloth Reg Bishop. Just as we once watched the deliberate dreadful piano playing of the late great comic Les Dawson, how we marvelled at how good the Watlington cast are at being 'bad'."
Richard Parr
June 2009