|
The Golden Jubilee
of an amateur pantomime company must be
something of a record calling for congratulations
all round and especially from those who
joined with me in launching Paignton's very
first pantomime in 1935.
We certainly had our
initial struggles but those valiant hearts
who have since battled in the second 25
years with such baddies as Demon Goggle
Box and Giant Inflation have proved that
dedication and the maintenance of a high
standard will, like the Good Fairy, always
prevail. King Panto will reign just as long
as children of all ages sing carols, believe
in Father Christmas and generally let their
hair down.
But fifty years ago
there was a danger of there being no pantomime
whatever between Exeter and Plymouth. For
years 'Dame' Carlton Fredericks' pantos
at Torquay had been a mecca for Paigntonians
who would rather miss the last tram than
scramble out before the 'walk-down'. Then
theatre-goers heard with dismay that the
Theatre Royal was doomed: the plush-seated
grand circle, the lofty gods, the gilt-framed
boxes were all to disappear to make way
for a super-cinema.
Meanwhile at Paignton
to celebrate King George's Jubilee, a 'Paignton
Pudding' revue, staged by our hastily assembled
company of local talent and sponsored by
the Council played to packed houses for
a week. When we were bequeathed the costumes,
scenery and props it was as if Aladdin's
genie had popped through the stage trap
with the right answer at the right time.
The enthusiastic 'Pudding-ites' were still
warm and it was hands up everywhere for
the homeless spirit of pantomime to switch
to Paignton. On the following Boxing Day
our 100% home-made 'Babes in the Wood' opened
right here at what was known as the Public
Hall and was fully booked before the doors
opened.
Laughs in that first
show came in the most unexpected places.
When our bunch of 'tinies' appeared in the
Forest scene as fat-breasted robins it was
always the little latecomer who turned right
instead of left that brought the house down.
Dominant in the same scene was a huge gnarled
tree with the suggestion of a rabbit burrow
between its spreading roots. We opened on
an empty stage with a simulated sunrise
(the primitive lighting being augmented
with 'dimmers' made from a brine solution
in drain pipes!) Applause rose to a crescendo
as stage-hands gently propelled baby rabbits
through their holes on to the stage whereupon
the stage-struck bunnies proceeded to steal
the show by nibbling the Fairy Queen's toes
as she reached for her high note!
This year's 'Jack
and the Beanstalk' evokes another memory.
It was tough going when we staged our first
'Jack' in the war years. Over thirty of
the company were serving overseas and we
were helped out with talent from the Fire
Service conveniently next door. Fireman
Billy Hutch played the back legs of the
comedy cow and the significance of the wailing
siren was forgotten in the cheering when
the rear-end suddenly shot off like a rocket
bound for Mars.
Those were the days
of hardwood seats, carpetless floors and
draughty doors. Now in the cosy Palace Avenue
Theatre with its plush seats, foyer and
bar, here's wishing that this year's 'Beanstalk'
will also literally lift the roof off and
so encourage this gallant company forward
to a glittering Diamond Jubilee.
|
