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Show: A Bard in the Hand
Society: Bembridge Little Theatre Club
Venue: Bembridge Village Hall
Credits: Maureen Sullivan
Type: Sardines
Author: Cheryl May
Performance Date: 13/08/2021
A Bard in the Hand
Cheryl May | 19 Aug 2021 14:28pm
Main image: 3 Citizens – Dianne Aspinall, Ellis Russell, Isobel Russel, Mistress Quickly – Libby Pike, Kit Marlowe – Jason Harris, The Earl of Oxford – Simon Lynch, 2 Citizens – Martie Cain and Angela Burton, Ferdinand Romeo – Mitch Hammer
Reviewed by: Glenys Lloyd Williams
The centre of Bembridge was buzzing with boos and hisses. But it’s not Christmas I hear you cry! It’s not even winter! It would be, though, for the eager audiences who filled the village hall last week to see Maureen Sullivan’s new panto entitled A Bard in the Hand.
Evidently time travel is possible in Shakespeare-land because Will himself (sporting a very high forehead) starts the show with “Is this the winter of our discontent?” The prose morphs into panto banter, and we discover his discontent is because he has writer’s block. Will confides in his chum and superspy extraordinaire, Kit Marlowe, smoothly and 007ly depicted by Jason Harris – so elegant in black and gold and in total command of all his weapons. He suggests Will might get inspiration by listening to local some chatter of the Citizens of London, energetically played, danced and sung by Martie Cain, Dianne Aspinall, Angela Burton, Debbie Gills, Ellis Russell and Isobel Russell. Even ‘Thriller’ and ‘Fame’ got in there!
Aha, the Baddie? The Earl of Oxford is after Will’s plays so that he will be remembered forever; portrayed in dastardly fashion by Simon Lynch. Strangely, he felt over-booed, so we booed some more! He curries favour with Nettie the tire-maker (‘wig’ in Elizabethan parlance – hence our word, ‘attire’) who is Will’s landlady. Dame Barnet, is exuberantly played by Amanda Gregory in a blue hooped dress, orange tire and doll-like make up. Mistress Quickly from next door (fabulously characterised by Libby Pike), often pops in, all in green, to entice (any) man with her tarts and opportunely placed Belgian buns.
Ben Jonson, (Karl Whitmore) with sidekick, Barnet, (John Hammond) had to get to the pub to think up a name for his ground-breaking book of words and their meanings, which he hopes will be in every home.
There were lots of Ba(r)d jokes and quotes from various plays completely out of context and entwined in one big ball of laughter and mishap. For example, Ferdinand Romeo (Mitch Hammer) is really Hamlet and falls for Miranda Barnet (Ella Gregory) and her teddy bear. Yes – “exits pursued by a bear” is squeezed in there too, along with “a horse, a horse…”, “is that a dagger I see before me…”, “to pay or not to pay that is the question..” “Alas, poor Yorick” and “the quality of myrrh-tea is not strained..” The Earl was carted off by Batman and Robin!? Will’s wife (Jane Robert) even turns up, complete with brummie accent.
All the actors were amazing, throwing their energy into every step and word. The costumes created by Andrew Wilson-Jenner were totally fabulous. Andrew also expertly took the role of Will himself with a wily mixture of patter, perplexity, pathos and panic. The band added depth to the songs and punchlines. Well done to those behind the scenes and front of house. All volunteers of course.
Watch out for the sequel. Could it be ‘a Summer’s Tale’ in the depth of winter?
Next BLTC production in November is ‘NUNSENSE’.
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Dame Barnet – Amanda Gregory, Miranda Barnet – Ella Gregory, Will Shakespeare – Andrew Wilson-Jenner, Mistress Quickly – Libby Pike.
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Will Shakespeare and Kit Marlowe.
- : admin
- : 13/08/2021