ALL THE WORLD’S A STAGE…

Here is some information from the website of a small amateur drama group based in one of the southern counties… but then, where I live, most counties are in the south, so that’s not giving much away, is it? To further preserve the anonymity, let’s call them the 'Pastope Players'. It was apropos their forthcoming pantomime production, and it appears here exactly as writ... warts and all.

There may not be parts for everyone, but as you know it is our usual approach to try to fit most volunteers into the production, by re-writing the script or as appropriate.

The are many parts that are there to fill, from treading the boardwalk, (be it to act or sing), help with backstage work from sorting props, designing, building and painting scenery as well as 'on the night' help with scene changing, lighting and sound, to the dressing room to help with make-up and costume design. Everyones role is as important as the other, It is all part of being invloved in a production.

I remember “Under the Boardwalk”, but "treading the boardwalk"? Oh, dear!

Of course people are perfectly free to join amateur dramatic and/or amateur operatic societies, and put on pantomimes. Let’s just be grateful they don’t take up architecture, or surgery, otherwise the graveyards would be full of unfortunate individuals who received inadequate medical attention after having had a building fall on them.

They include a quote from a review of their previous production, which appeared in a local rag…

… a funny script with so many local and topical references – just what panto should be.

Well… no! Panto should be well-acted, well-sung, well-danced, well-staged, well-dressed, well-lit, etc. with a decent cup of tea or coffee during the interval.

Why do I persist? Here’s a quote from Harrison Ford, speaking about his early clashes with film directors/producers indifferent to performance standards… “From the beginning I believed that staying the course was what counted. I outlast the bastards. The sheer process of attrition wears the others down. That was my belief then. It still is now.” ‘The Sporting  World’ (Lynam and Teasdale) BBC Books. 1994

I am not against amateurs by the way. Over the years, I have been in quite a number of shows with some very talented amateurs, and I have also appeared in productions with professionals who acted more off stage than they did on.