Written by Marion Rogers
Directed by Marion Rogers

Medstead Players were back 'tripping the boards' at Medstead Village Hall for the Christmas pantomime which this year featured Hansel and Gretel.

Based on the German fairytale, written by the Brothers Grimm in 1812, "The Adventures of Hansel and Gretel in the Wild, Wild Wood' was adapted, personalised and directed by Medstead Player's own Marion Rogers.

A dark but fantastical tale of child cruelty, imprisonment and cannibalism - the audience loved it!

Featuring evil witches, magic flora and fauna, heart rending spirits, energetic dancers and pantomime horses, this was a show full of surprise and ingenuity.

From the wicked witches, both of them with an appetite for eating small children, to a dancing bluebird, from a pair of huntsmen (Peter and Janice Hopwood-Hall) lost in the Wild, Wild Wood, to the students on an environmental hike, there was no telling what would turn up next - there was even a magic fish and a house made entirely of candy!

And running throughout was the moving legend of Hansel and Gretel, played with confidence and sensitivity by Stephen Armitage and Bethany Magennis-Prior, banished to the Wild Wild Wood by their evil stepmother (aka the colourful Stan Whitcher), unprotected by their father - a caring but henpecked Anita Prior, and left to the mercy of the Wicked Witch of the Wild Wild Wood, a very evil Sue Ovell.

Partner in crime, and stirling mercilessly was Pam Kercher as 'Wicked Witch Wendy', with Carol Bedingfield putting on the brakes as the 'Good Fairy Mirabelle'.

Val Coombs delivered a moving ballad as the spirit of the children's mother; the pantomime horses (Lesley Rae and Marion Rogers, and Ann Bradley and Heather Armitage) did a stirling job at staying upright; and Vivien Thirkettle and Katherine Armitage delighted the audience as the talking tree and petunia.

Imogen Clifford showed skill and grace as the Little Bluebird; and Nicki Tindale was a convincing school mistress as she led her students (Lean Thirkettle, Ruth Morales and Joanne Clifford) on an educational ramble through the woods.

Benefiting from delightful sets, supportive lighting and sound, and attractive costumes, it was a production that drew out the talents of a relatively modest adult cast and gave an opportunity for the junior section to shine.

I have just managed to get myself out of the 'Wild Wild Wood' where I was bewitched by the wonderful cast and crew of Hansel and Gretel, wiping my eyes! No, not weeping, constant laughter when I remember the fabulous acting, production, script, music, etc. as these talented players 'gave us their all' once more.

Hansel and Gretel, re-written by Marion Rogers, was so funny. The opening number 'There's No Business like Show Business was sung and danced by the children of the cast (choreographed by Ann Bradley), and with the alteration of words to make jokes was extra special because the words came out so clearly - well done kids!

Stephen Armitage and Bethany Magennis-Prior starred as Hansel and Gretel, both acting well and singing in their beautiful clear soprano voices. Their nasty stepmother was Stan Whitcher at his/her worst, and worried dad Anita Prior did his/her best to control him - as did the audience with their hisses and boos. More of these sounds resounded on the witches, especially Sue Ovell as the wickedest witch (of the Wild Wood). Vivien Thirkettle and Katherine Armitage were delightful as the Talking Tree and Petunia the talking flower.

Nicki Tindale was unusual as the Leader of the students: Leah Thirkettle, Ruth Morales and Joanne Clifford, and we enjoyed the amazing ballet dancing from Imogen Clifford. However, the animal power was what fascinated us all, the Medstead audience showing their delight as always. The sight of Peter and Janice Hopwood-Hall, the former looking for his pony and Janice riding one with her own two legs and two attached to her chest, prancing along at an amazing speed, was incredibly clever. But - have you ever seen two horses dancing together, rubbing each other's necks and sides, moving sensually, and gazing at each other with large expressive eyes to the tune of 'Love is a Many Splendour'd Thing'? It was so good, very well rehearsed, with Ann Bradley, Heather Armitage, Lesley Ray and Marion Rogers moving those large horses about as if they were real.

Congratulations must go to the Director and writer of a superlative script Marion Rogers, and Producer Jenny Overy for a wonderful pantomime which will stay in our memories forever. Backstage crew as usual produced excellent scenery and Mike Overy the entertaining music plus Helena Hunt with her lovely accompaniment. Everyone who was involved must have worked extremely hard, and it paid off on their first performance in the newly refurbished Medstead Village Hall.
[Jean Gebbett]

What better way to kick start the Christmas festivities than to visit a Panto and Medstead Players rose to the challenge yet again with their production of Hansel and Gretel, with local quips and references to keep us all well grounded. The welcome, as always, was very warm from the impeccably dressed front of house staff and the programme, which was beautifully presented, promised a great performance.

How good to see an opening number from the Junior section. No doubt with experience they will learn to really sing out as there were some lovely voices to be heard.

From the outset the costumes and set were magnificent. The Wild Wild Wood was suitably spooky; the witches house almost edible and the Musical accompaniment up to its usual high standard. The enthusiasm of the cast shone through in every scene. It was great to see how well this amateur group has recovered having lost all their costumes, props and scenery in the fire which devastated the Hall in 2009.

Scene One, Woodcutter Cottage, a rustic homely domestic scene with the father, Cedric, by the fire being nagged by the wife, Griselda, but wait - the 'wife' was a man in the guise of Stan Whitcher and the father was a woman in the guise of Anita Prior, who's make up was so great, she was unrecognisable until she spoke. What a starter. Anita did a great job of playing the father of Hansel and Gretel and Stan's Dame, in a fittingly gaudy outfit, has developed a fabulous 'flounce'.

I'm glad I was not mucking out the stables for this panto, as I don't think I have ever seen two pantomime horses in one production plus a further horse in the Wild Wild Wood. Dobbin and Flossie were brilliantly played by Marion Rogers, Lesley Rae, Ann Bradley and Heather Armitage. Their dances were well executed and their wedding scene was extremely funny. No doubt Good Fairy Mirabelle, played by Carol Beddingfield, was able to wave her magic wand and sprinkle her fairy dust for their happy future.

Sue Ovell was as usual very funny with her show stealing and professional performance. My favourite scene was the two witches together, played by both Sue Ovell and Pam Kercher. They really made a winning double bringing witches up to date with their sat nav jokes.

Another very funny and well executed scene was the equestrian extravaganza from the Hopwood-Hall duo. Great dressage from Cuthbert, played by Janice with perfect foil, Englebert, played by Peter.

Vivien Thirkettle showed her talent and lovely singing voice as Gordon the Talking tree and Katherine Armitage projected her voice exceptionally well as Petunia the Talking flower. Well done girls. This led to the spooky scene in the Wild Wild Woods where Hansel and Gretel had been sent by their wicked stepmother Griselda and the poor dears were hopelessly lost. They fell asleep and were visited by the ghost of their mother played by the very versatile Val Coombs. They also had the protection of a little bluebird, played by another talented Junior, Imogen Clifford in her lovely costume and beautiful choreography. Altogether a lovely interlude. Miss, the snooty teacher played by another versatile actor, Nicky Tindale and her students: Leah Thirkettle, Ruth Morales and Joanne Clifford added to the humour of the performance.

The signs which appeared on occasion from the wings brought about much laughter with their opportune appearance and informed us of passing time.

The last accolade must go to the two Junior members who held the entire show together with their confident performances as Hansel and Gretel. Stephen Armitage and Bethany Magennis-Prior are surely Medstead Players stars of the future. My most favourite song was 'afraid' by these two well rehearsed Juniors. Final credit has to go to Bethany for her professional and talented portrayal of Gretel, clearly following the Prior family tradition.

According to the feedback I have had from fellow audience members, it was a thoroughly enjoyable panto with a tremendous amount of hard work and commitment from cast and crew. Well done to the stage crew and production team, especially Marion Rogers who not only directed the whole panto but also wrote the script.

Looking forward to the Players' next production.
[Nita Simpson]