Theatre Reviews by Phyl Romeril for Local Guardian

A touch of those good old days

The Empire Music Hall Company
Forest Community Centre

Music hall returned in force to Forest Community Centre when Wadham Players and friends presented their Victorian Christmas extravaganza.

These music hall shows have been part of the local scene for many years and some of the entertainers and arrangers took part when this annual event was at Greenleaf Road Adult Education Centre, affectionately remembered as 'The Settlement'.

Michael Michael, in his capacity as producer, enrolled the skills of Robert Pamplin to do the honours as Chairman, a task he carried out with pedantic efficiency and also contributed some of his 'magical' skills.

The energy and enthusiasm of veteran Dick Williams is always a source of amazement. He was again on top form rendering several items including, by popular demand, Little Liver Pill.

Don Monroe from Starlighters gave us the benefit of his powerful singing and Anton Copley wafted us off to Devon. A particular clever item came from Danny Macbeth and David Reed who worked in unison on The Green Eye of the Little Yellow God.

No music hall show is complete without the potted melodrama and The Drunkard's Dilemma followed the anticipation tradition.

Chorus items and solos were interwoven into the programme by Zoe Watkins and Lucy Elliott (Following in Father's Foot-steps), Jill Atkins and Ann Housden told us about Flanagan and Ron Atkins was involved with Polly Perkins. Bob Gray rolled his tongue around Boiled Beef and Carrots and Jill and Jim Akhurst wandered into Trafalgar Square.

Elaine Elliott and Barbara Humm tore at the heartstrings with Are We To Part Like This Bill and Who Were You With Last Night. Danny Macbeth and Matthew Hallard performed a clever, athletic mime against the theme tune from Chariots of Fire.

Every member of the audience must have see Bob Gray, Ron Atkinson and Michael Michael perform The Molecatchers Lament, not once but many times, but it still brings the house to its knees.

Pam Hodges did a marvellous job of accompanying on the piano. The costumes and decorations were suitably festive.

It was good to have this popular show back again in its friendly environment.