Deborah Lyons Reports for NODA District 8
EYEMOUTH & DISTRICT COMMUNITY YOUTH THEATRE GROUP
‘ROBIN HOOD & Babes in the Wood’
Old High School Hall, Eyemouth.
12-15 November 2013
Produced by Pauline Grieve and Andrea Thacker
Assisted by Joan Blatchley Choreoography by Andrea Thacker
Robin Hood (Elle Drummond), Maid Marion (Hannah Combe), Little John (Jack Ritchie), Friar Tuck (Mak Wilson), Will Scarlett (Sophie Ritchie), Sheriff of Nottingham (Bill Shardlow), Nurse Nellie (Campbell McNeil), Snivel (Caitlin Lauder), Grovel (Rory Fairbairn), Ella (Emma McEwan), Sam (Max McNeil), King Richard (Archie Bogle), Sir Guy (Grant Maltman), Jesters (Miranda McFarlane & Sadie Worrall), Minstrel (Alice Ellwood), Soloist (Erin Robertson)
I was so glad that I was able to make it down to Eyemouth this year, since our Youth Advisor had to call off his visit at the last minute. His loss was my gain! The show was fabulous and the energetic company gave their all to great applause from a more than enthusiastic audience. The ‘Happy’ opening gave the talented Maid Marion, her initial chance to shine with a lively choral support. She and her stunning leading boy, Robin, were a superb match throughout and wowed us with two great duets. Robin’s ‘Eye of the Tiger’ really hit a chord and was brilliantly supported by the ‘green’ dancers, who made their mark in all the dance numbers in the show. The Sheriff played a suitably strong role and dealt out his dark and deadly deeds, superbly backed-up by his Snivel and Grovel duo, who played their parts excellently and had us in stitches with their great facial expressions. The youthful Tuck, Will and Little John played their roles to perfection and worked so very well together, delivering some hilarious one-liners. It’s such a joy to see these young members grow to become really valuable stalwarts of the company. I loved the Matilda school room scene which was very well performed by the girls.
A huge ‘well done’ to Ella too for a lively birthday opening to act 2. Nellie, the ‘elder’ stalwart once again gave a fantastic performance throughout. She produced outright hilarity when drawing her Rock n’ Roll victim ‘Alan’ (on that night), from the audience. The picnic scene with mini rabbits and squirrels was a real joy with a solo of ‘Somewhere Only We Know’, sung so beautifully. A touching rendition also, of a Sweeney Todd classic, ‘Not While I’m Around’, fitted the bill perfectly for Nellie as she protected the babes. Sam, King Richard and Sir Guy were all characterised brilliantly by the budding new youthful faces joining the ever growing ranks of talented youngsters. The Company have great reason to celebrate and did so with ‘Ain’t No Mountain High Enough’ only to be topped by the heartwarming Finale song, ‘Sing’, bringing our evening’s entertainment to a perfect conclusion.
Congratulations Everyone!
