|
Christmas Games by Jan
Allen |
| It was 1940 when
Londoners went 'down the tubes'! Rebelling against the
inadequacies of the public air raid shelters, the public took to the
Underground. Ignoring an official ban, they bought tickets for one
and a half 'old' pennies, descended to the platforms - and stayed there
'til morning. When the platforms were full, an overspill of uneasy
sleepers littered the escalators. Eventually came the official
recognition and with it a few positive benefits such as bunks and bucket
lavatories. Sleep was a hard won luxury; the long nights were
passed in many ways - games, gossip, and for many night dwellers,
entertainment by ENSA concert groups. So... Let The People Sing! Men and women sang in sad times and happy ones; in days of peace... and days of war. Civilians kept up their spirits with a song through air raid after devastating air raid. Soldiers sang when victory seemed uncertain and when the prize of Peace was finally within grasp. Songs were sung at sea and in Service canteens, on airfields and on farms. And in factories, bombs and shells were made to the sound of the now familiar choruses. |
Cast |
|
| Mrs Jones | Helga Holland |
| Ernie (her son) | Amy Freeman |
| Bert (a Porter) | Dennis Wooddin |
| Ethel | Marion Hayward |
| Hilda | Gloria Poole |
| Reverend Cyril Thruxton | Dave Lintin |
| Mrs Mary Thruxton | Charlotte Broughton |
| Mrs Symmington | Helen Horton |
| Mrs Chambers | Abigail Wright |
| Lt. Cardew | Marcus Holland |
| Group Captain Calthorpe-Dayne | Simon Fairbank |
| Bunty Calthorpe-Dayne (his wife) | Catherine Hughes |
| Veronica (their daughter) | Esther Freeman |
| Brigadier Calthorpe-Dayne | Dennis Simmons |
| Pamela Calthorpe-Dayne | Jodie Smart |
| Robert McKenzie | Richard Shaw-Wallbank |
| Major 'Buzz' Bailey, USAF | Simon Fairbank |
| Captain Mainbearing | Dennis Wooddin |
| Supporting cast | Annette Holland, Melissa Horton, Donna Moody, Sue Pendrick, Clare Richardson and Brian Oldfield. |
Musical Director: Jan Allen
|
Musicians |
|
| Piano | Mike Boltz |
| Percussion | John Ritchie |
| Bass | Matthew Jackson |
Crew |
|
| Stage Manager | Nick Mugford |
| Lighting | Peter Langston |
| Sound | James Freeman |
| Set construction | Dave Lintin |
| Set painting and decorating | David Broughton and Dennis Simmons |
| Stage furniture and props | Helen Horton |