By Anne Hopper
A direct quotation from a member of Hurstpierpoint Players who’s had some years of experience in traditional pantomime and appeared in many of the company’s more ‘normal’ [whatever that is now!] productions. Robin Hood, directed by Sam Nixon and assisted by Annette Squire, was licensed for presentation on You Tube via our website for fourteen performances from Christmas Eve to New Year’s Day. The Company was gambling with an unknown variation on a familiar theme despite “a worldwide pandemic, rehearsing on Zoom and recording songs by singing into your ’phone alone in the kitchen!” My source for those comments is Jan Bell who’s been in around 40 shows for the Players in the past 31 years and wasn’t expecting to be able easily to cope with playing one of Robin’s Merry Men, ‘Billinda’ [Bill for short] a character disguised as a man but really a girl in love with Little John and maintaining the Panto tradition of role reversal.
In her post-production report Jan goes on to say, “I would be happy to film a show again – the cast had great fun and if you have a good, well-organised director and production team as good as we did then the filming process should be pretty smooth”. But yes, it was a steep learning curve for all of us and we’ve found the experience very rewarding – knowledge which will no doubt come in useful as we consider whether or not to stay ‘virtual’ for our first production of 2021 now under consideration. We have also been encouraged by positive comments sent to our website: “Have just watched the Panto – great fun – lots of laughs, good singing and clearly a lot of effort put into this virtual production. Now you can all have a rest as …it’s behind you! [sorry, you started it].!” Jason. “Just to say how much we admired the performance and especially the initiative you all showed in the most difficult of circumstances.” Patrick and Mary.
Viewers didn’t have to pay to see the Panto and we’ve been impressed at how so many people took advantage of the opportunity to watch us and to give a donation to help with production expenses. Robin Hood is no longer online but the opportunity to help with expenses still is, and it’s possible to go to the Players website: hurstplayers.org.uk where you’ll find details of PayPal and credit card donating.
It’s so dispiriting to see our unique theatre, so recently refurbished, now standing unused due to the current lockdown. Working online has obviously inspired the new members who’ve joined since the Panto – a warm welcome to you all. We now hope that it won’t be too long before we can stop talking about the next season on Zoom and get down to rehearsing the first production in 2021. Online if necessary but preferably on stage at the freshly minted Players Theatre, 147 High Street. Watch this space!