That’s Entertainment - © 2006
...the new name for St Thomas’ Players.
We were formed back in 1991, when several members of St Thomas’ church (in Helmshore, Lancashire) thought it would be a great idea to set up a pantomime group.
Here’s an extract from our 10th anniversary show programme, in which Chris Gariff (one of our founder members, who’s been involved in practically every show) describes the background:
It all began in '91
When some of us though it would be fun
To form a group called St Thomas' Players
We had forty pounds and the vicar's prayers
Magic mirrors - say panto scripts - will tell you everything. But, looking back over the past ten years of pantomimes seems to be less than clear !
Then, many folk fondly remembered the successes of the Musbury Minstrels. This seemed to sow the seed into the minds of Gill Sowerbutts, Marjorie Astbury and others. St Thomas’s had several young families. Could a way be found for them to meet socially within church care and also enjoy themselves?
What if? Could we really dare to try a pantomime? Would anyone come to watch? Other families joined with enthusiasm - Peter and Janet Ormerod, Noel and Jennifer Pilling, David and Karen Allsop, Jennifer Jackson and Carol Vizzard. As the saying goes, the stage was set.
Vigorously encouraged by the vicar, Alan Sowerbutts, and with the loan of £40 from the Parish Church Council to finance the venture (to be repaid asap!), nothing could stop us! Andrew Astbury bravely accepted the challenge as producer and chose Goldilocks and the Three Bears by NODA Pantomimes as the first production.
Looking over my script it must have been chosen because it only needed a small cast, just 10 principals... a chorus of 14 and dancers!
Somehow, parts were cast, including Alan, the vicar, as Count Dracula - type-cast of course! Certainly, everyone deserved their part - only the dame was left, Who could they find ? After much deliberation, and I’m sure with many misgivings, the part was offered to me. I grabbed it of course (as I have desperately grabbed a part every year since)!
Rehearsals began in the church, God’s house. What a fantastic community use! Worshipping Christians meeting together to praise God in community fun. Giving their children, and other young people in the parish, the opportunity to come together and offer God their talents to His greater praise and glory.
The three performances were given at St Veronica’s RC Church Hall and the next year Dave Carter from St Veronica’s joined us as memorable and brilliant dame.
Rehearsal venues may have fluctuated, yet church and village remain centre-stage at St Thomas’s Players. Almost all of the original cast are still involved.
This production sees St Thomas’s new vicar, Norman Price as the Helmshore Road bobby (rolling about on the stage not quite as you are used to seeing him in church).
Now, there’s a future challenge vicar! Please keep St Thomas’s Players at the centre of parish life.
Chris Gariff
For our first production in '92
The Three Bears and Goldilocks saw us through
Scenting success and having fun
We decided to produce another one
Jack climbed up the Beanstalk in '93
The Giant was soon beaten to the audience's glee
Everyone was sorry for poor old Gertie the cow
But we all clapped when she appeared to take her final bow
In '94 came Frankenstein, a very different tale
Dracula and his granny, tried hard with no avail
To bite Miss Nellie and her girls they tried with all their might
But thanks to Crackpot and his gun they truly lost the fight
In '95 it was time for Cinders to appear
The Ugly Sisters were the ones who made her shake with fear
Her Godmother came to help and sent her to the Ball
And good luck was with her when Prince Charming came to call
In '96 the puppet Pinocchio came to life
Crazia and Crankit tried to save their friend from strife
Verucca, Fungus and that cat were baddies through and through
But thanks to Fairy Sapphire they got what they were due
Sleeping Beauty woke up fine after a hundred years
But not until the Prince arrived and we all gave Three Cheers
The Magic Sword made Olga vanish completely out of sight
The Fairies task was at an end, and things turned out all right
In '98 came Abanazar selling new lamps for old
We all saw our Aladdin searching for his gold
Geni-us appeared to save our hero from the perils of the cave
To stop Aladdin from becoming Abanazars Slave
In '99 Dick Whittington, helped by his faithful cat
Became Lord Mayor of London by defeating cruel King Rat
The Fairy helped, they all survived and with the Sultans aid
They all returned to London with jewels and gold to trade
In the year 2000 Snow White was on our stage
The Queen was being thwarted and stamping about with rage
The Mirror was a 'Sweetie' and always on the phone
The Black Hand with the hammer made Nursie and Muddles groan
Which brings us to this current year
Where Beauty meets the Beast
We hope that you enjoy it
To say the very least!
Marjorie Astbury and Lynn Johnstone - Feb 2001
