RED RIDING HOOD - our 21st performance in the Village Hall

This was our 21st performance and Little Red Riding Hood completed our cycle of five regular pantomimes.  Over the years ‘progress’ has been made, especially with the introduction of more and more music.  The singing is a cultural experience only available to the chosen few.  This year we welcomed a new member to the cast.  At the beginning of the season we were one short and Angela Pipe actually volunteered to help us out.  How brave she was, how very brave!

We welcomed Bill Smith into the audience.  Bill no longer lives in the village, but it was in 1985 that he brought his experience in stage management, scenery, lighting etc. and put us on to the right track.

So, what does the future hold for us?  There are proposals for a new village hall so what will be on this site in 2007 is unknown.  Six of our present cast have already decided to call it a day.  This is understandable – for when you have been through the full repertoire – sometimes more than once – what is left?  Sadly, one of them is Ted Poole who alone has kept us all captivated with his unique performances.  At the end of our 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, Kim Eastall and Caroline Prangle costumes and property and Keith Phillips (assisted by Wendy Fairclough) sounds and lighting.

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

Press Report: (by Michael Anderton)

An era came to an end on Saturday 14th January when the current Bentley Players delivered their final performance with Bentley’s version of Little Red Riding Hood. Over the years since 1984 the team has put on 21 performances in the village hall and several members have decided to hang up their costumes for the time being. Perhaps when the new village hall has been built a new band of budding local thespians will take to the stage to provide us with the style of off-beat merriment we have come to expect.

Newcomer to the gang, Angela Pipe who gallantly volunteered to perform the role at short notice, played little Red Riding Hood. She was given a radio mike to enhance her soft voice and saved the day admirably.

Bob Perkin was type cast in his usual role as the wicked squire, supported by John Scoines and Caroline Prangle as Disaster and Calamity his silly children. John showed off his powerful singing voice to receive loud applause and Caroline mastered the fun and comedy scripting that ensued as they masqueraded as trees in the wood.

As usual Ted Poole was the favourite of the audience and provided us with a good laugh every time he appeared. Rather than a big bad wolf he played Wolfie, a rather sad animal that was often mistaken for a nice friendly dog.

With her tall figure Kim Eastall was well cast as The Prince of Bentley who fell in love with Red Riding Hood. Her page, Gordon Riley, gave another of his slapstick performances to amuse the local audience.

David Prangle in his usual role as the Panto dame, Dame Trot, dazzled us with his display of fine and colourful clothing, wigs and underwear, generally managing to keep the proceedings bumping along nicely.

As usual there was a need for several of the players to visit the wings mid-scene to check their lines and occasionally to find their exit points. But this all added to the atmosphere and hilarity that is the hallmark of this annual event.

The whole show was written and directed by Charles Cripps with Keith Phillips providing the sound and lights, assisted by Wendy Fairclough. Costumes were by Kim Eastall and Caroline Prangle. Ted Poole provided a major contribution as Stage Manager, general prop provider, after show video (for the benefit of the performers) and general stagehand. When it was all over Charles Cripps presented cheques for £200 each to Bentley VCP School and the Village Hall Management Committee for the new hall.

Although the cast has changed over the years, Charles Cripps has led the band throughout and is to be congratulated for the sterling work he has put in as writer, director and producer of the shows. Charles looked forward to the future in his closing remarks and hoped to recruit new members for the Bentley Players, including, he said, possibly animals and children. The village looks forward to these gatherings that brighten our Januarys and they will be sorely missed if they do not return.

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