For our 17th performance it was time for  Jack and the Beanstalk to make a reappearance.  Sadly, Peter Bingham's move to Norfolk made it impossible for him to tread the boards with us.  He had been with us from the beginning and was the mainstay of many of our performances.  David Prangle was moved into the role of the dame and proved to be an excellent Widow Twankey.  Bill Smith who has returned to live in the area made a welcome return to enjoy the show.  At the end of the final performance donations of £200 each were presented to Bentley School and the Village Hall.

Our willing support group was Ted Poole stage manager and scenery, Helen Scoines costumes and property and Keith Philips (assisted by David Eastall) sounds and lighting.

The cast in order of appearance were David Prangle, John Scoines, Bob Perkin, Gordon Riley, Caroline Prangle, Helen Scoines, David Eastall, Kim Eastall, and Ted Poole.

Press Report: (by Michael Anderton)

'Villages in panto were full of beans'

In the 17th annual outing of the Bentley Players (Case is Altered regulars) three fine performances of Jack and the Beanstalk unfolded in the village hall of mythical Lower Bentley on Friday and Saturday 1ast week.  A change in casting this year bade farewell to long time dame Peter Bingham whose shoes were ably filled by David Prangle as the colourful Widow Twankey.  Widow Twankey's sister Maud was played by John Scoines and between them they kept the rhythm of the performance going with a roof lifting rendition of 'Come into the Garden Maud'.  The terrible twins Bob Perkin and Gordon Riley bumped around the stage in their usual double act and played the inevitable Tax Collector and his assistant, Bangers and Mash.

Naturally there were references to local events and places in the script and some interesting devices in the props to provide an authentic cow and fully grown beanstalk.  The scenery a usual was of a very high standard for such a small stage, making the nightmare of scene changes a bit tricky.

The highlight of the show was the appearance of Giant Blunderhead to the accompaniment of 'The Good, The Bad and The Ugly'.  This very friendly tongue twisted character was played by stage manager Ted Poole and brought the house down on his entry.  Another highlight was the introduction of the Norfolk Shepherd played by David Eastall, complete with Norwich City scarf and authentic accent.  The beans he gave to Jack (Helen Scoines) must have been Scarlet Runners for they quickly grew in the corner of the stage.  Caroline Prangle gave a perfect performance as Lady Moneybags, the nasty landlady, while Kim Eastall played Jill the Giant's servant, who turned out to be a princess and eventually married Jack.

Keith Phillips and David Eastall managed the sound and lights to great effect and keeping the show on the road was John Scoines with a copy of the Amateur Gardener to hide his script which he referred to on many occasions.  Charles Cripps. wrote and directed the show as usual and presented cheques for £200 each to Bentley School and the Village Hall Management Committee.  This was another successful performance by a band of dedicated amateurs who take great delight in providing the village with this annual event.

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