This is a copy of the review of Once Upon a Tyme sent to us by our NODA representative, Robin Hinton Brewer

NODA

Serving Amateur Theatre 1899-1999

Once Upon A Tyme

Written by: Dennis E Bryant
Presented by: Eydon Players

Director. Brenda Courtie

Accompanist. Janice Webb
Production Associate: Terry Bullworthy
Venue: Eydon Village Hall

This production marked my fourth visit to the village of Eydon, and as on the previous visits I was made very welcome.

This Christmas show especially written for Eydon Players by Dennis E Bryant had all the elements of a traditional festive show, plenty of 'local' in jokes, with some gentle slapstick, a good fairy and bad fairy, pretty heroine. The story, although easy to follow by the younger members of the audience, contained enough humour for us the more mature ones. The songs were tuneful and sung with ease not taxing anyone's vocal range. Brenda ensured that the show went along at a cracking pace, every word of dialogue clearly spoken and lots of good placements of the strong Company. No one was `masked' by anyone else and the whole stage was used by all. The comedy 'set pieces' and the musical numbers given the full quota of effort and were enjoyed by all watching the performance.

Matthew Tasker had the difficult job of getting the show started and in the role of Willie Winkie worked well. A powerful voice, a strong stage presence along with a feeling for the type of audience he was working with, some nice ad-libs and a lovely line of facial expressions. I would like to see more of you Matthew in comedies.

Emma Webb as Crystal made a most attractive principal girl, looking pretty and sounding good too. As with everyone in the company some good diction both in dialogue and singing meant we didn't have to strain our ears to hear what was said or sung.

Lesley Mansfield made the most of her almost cameo part of Nanny, she showed obvious concern for her young charge and had just the right light touch.

The Good Fairy played by Lucy Doran looked and sounded very nice but Lucy, you need to smile more, when you did smile your whole character changed and you shone like a fairy should.

Peter Unsworth played Sergeant Nokes with gusto, having a fine style in his `Drill' routine. His songs were delivered in a light manner and his bashfulness over Rag Doll nicely judged.

Gina Hall made the most of her part as Rowena, the Rag Doll, she moved in just the right way and her song about Going Wobbly at the Knees was lovely. She displayed a nice line in romance for Sgt Nokes and ably supported the other principals throughout the evening.

A wonderfully over-the-top 'baddie', the Fright Fairy performed by Sara McKay, who looked rather like Cher on a bad day. Every nuance of evilness was given its full worth, with lots of snarls, hisses and nasty looks all added up to a well-rounded performance.

I would have liked to have seen and heard a lot more of Dame Tiddly-Pom, she was I think the only under-written role of the show. Terry Bullworthy was grand, lots of silly looks, fluttering of eyelids (at the Giant) and over-the-top characterisation here. And if he had, had more to do would have stolen the show.

Don Hussey made the Giant sound very scary and even when on stage made my young friend Christopher almost wanting to hide underneath his seat, and again he (the Giant) made the most of this almost cameo role.

Shades of Laurel and Hardy in the comedy duo of Bod, a workman and Boss, his foreman, both played with glee by Rita Bullworthy and Deborah Flanagan respectively. Every old sight or spoken gag came over as fresh as new paint, these two worked well together and should look at playing this type of parts in future pantomimes.

Rosie Blanshard was good as Witch Aggathorne, making the most of what she was asked to do. Jonathan Blanshard moved well as The Hockling, Aggathorne's pet who had the job of keeping people out of the Scary Wood.

All the children who played The Rules and Toy Animals in the Toy Ark looked good and sounded even better, joining in with the audience in the booing and hissing of the baddies and cheering the goodies on to bigger and better things throughout the evening.

Four well designed, built and painted sets added to the evening's entertainment plus good lighting effects and a nice sound balance helped make the whole production a nice way to spend an evening.

NATIONAL OPERATIC & DRAMATIC ASSOCIATION Patron: Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother Registered as a charity, number 254640. VAT registration number 232 5945 62 Headquarters: NODA House, 1 Crestrield Street, London WC1H 8AU Telephone: 0171-837 5655 Fax: 0171-833 0609