Archive for January 2020
NODA Review - Jack And The Beanstalk
NODA South-East Representative, Jon Fox, reviews the recent production of Jack And The Beanstalk by The Nomads at The Nomad Theatre in Surrey (find us).
This well known and oft-performed pantomime has all the essential elements so loved and so familiar to British audiences. The charismatic but hard-pressed Dame, the daft son, the essential baddie and incompetent baddie double act and the all-essential eventual triumph of good over evil. And glory be, in this innovative production, a welcome but increasingly rare in amateur panto, two-person skin act.
Daisy the cow made a major contribution to this show and two young people, Andrea Almazán and Oli Newhall, succeeded in giving Daisy a distinct and engaging personality of her own. She squealed, rather than mooed, which I found amusing. This particular script had some very witty lines. I especially liked “longer than a Government decision”, very apt right now. I also much liked the fact that each person in the show was given an actual named character which, I suggest is especially important and beneficial to the young and very young players.
Visionary director Andrew Hamel-Cooke is well known for his fresh ideas and his keen and skilful encouragement of young players. Some in this production had not acted in panto before, even some of the adults, but had their programme notes not said so, no one would have guessed.
Millie Jane Franks made a fine principal boy, Jack Pott - I dislike the growing trend for a male to play principal boy – and a jolly good job she made of it, thigh-slapping with the best of them, with stage presence to spare!
John Want was a highly suitable Dame Pott, likeable, real vulnerability, but with an eye on the main chance.
Adam Coburn was a fine Grotweasel, scary, hideously made up (in other words “good” and hugely watchable.
A lovely touch was the double fairy act Fairy Greatgodmother and Fairy Godmother on “work experience”. Margaret Simmons and Alice Baron, respectively, played them for all they were worth.
Sasha Plaché DeVilliers was an excellent Jill, elegant, talented and a top all-round performer. Ella Kay made Silly Sally into something really special. She was superbly charismatic and a real hit! Graham Botterill was an excellent squire. Clearly a highly experienced performer and how it showed.
The twerp baddie duo were Dogbreath and Hairball, played by Sophie Johnstone and Matthew Weaver respectively, providing great comedy.
Musical Director James Marr, with his small combo, provided good musical support and the singing was generally good or adequate, with one or two quality singing voices. Sasha and Andrea jointly choreographed and were able to use the many young and spirited performers in particular to good effect. Costumes by Jenny Hasted and Ella Kay were generally good, though I would have preferred far more vivid panto colours on chorus members. There were a little too many pastel shades ideally. The dialogue at times lacked pace and cues were not always picked up quickly enough. The set was well thought out and constructed by The Tuesday Crew – presumably in-house. Good sound effects and lighting, by Clive Vinall on sound and Tony and Dee Bowdery on lighting, added lustre to this engaging production.
I liked a number of the essential traditional panto requirements such as topical and local gags, well put over too I thought, and humorous stage set signs such as “Ample Bottom, 75 inches” with Fore Sale indicating the bailiffs on the Dame’s Cottage. The four candle seller was an inspired touch. I loved the giant and the voice, courtesy of Murray Stephen and the Act Two Ice setting was highly effective. Lots of visual plusses then!
A word for the excellent programme with welcome CVs for all members. For the younger members, in particular, it is an excellent idea to make each one a named character with a chance to tell us something individually. Overall, this was an enjoyable production and an undoubted success. A few nitpicks here and there did not detract from what was a really well put-over production.
Jon Fox - NODA South-East Representative
The Nomads are members of NODA, which has a membership of 2500 amateur theatre groups and 3000 individual enthusiasts throughout the UK, staging musicals, operas, plays, concerts and pantomimes in a wide variety of performing venues, ranging from the country’s leading professional theatres to tiny village halls.
About our reviews
All our reviews are written independently and shared with The Nomads after the production. Please bear with us while we update this page… more coming soon!
Alice In Wonderland
Show postponed until 2021
Alice In Wonderland by Lewis Carroll
Adapted and Directed by Graham Botterill
Tickets: adults £16, children/students £10.
This is a new adaptation of this wonderful children’s tale by the NODA award-winning team.
God Of Carnage
POSTPONED until 2021
God of Carnage
By Yasmina Reza
Translated By Christopher Hampton
Directed by Elaine Burns
Warning: contains strong language
Our cast:
- Alain Reille : Jason Spiller
- Annette Reille: Helen Teasdale
- Michel Vallon : Ian Creese
- Veroniqué Vallon: Andrea Charles
The play:
Two 11-year-old boys get into a fight and and one ends up with a broken front tooth. Their parents are professional people so when they agree to meet they are sure they can discuss the situation in a calm and rational manner over coffee and clafouti.
Well……
It starts well but Veronica has a sharp edge despite her love of art and concern for the people of Africa. Michael has done something he ought to be ashamed of! Alan is a corporate lawyer and his mind is on his current case defending a pharmaceutical company who really should have tested a new drug properly. Then there is his wife Annette - and what is going on there?
Boys will be boys , but the adults are usually worse - much worse!
This Black Comedy of modern manners won the Olivier Award for Best Comedy and the Tony Award for Best Play. God of Carnage premiered in London in 2008. Yasmina Reza is also known for her other award-winning play ART.
History For Three and Blue Remembered Hills
Two one-act plays
Tuesday 20th to Saturday 24th October at 7:30
Tickets: adults £14, children/students £12.
History For Three by Leo Baker
Director to be announced
June 4th, 1940: Celie lives with her parents on the Kent coast. In the night they’ve heard the sound of guns. Celie’s father went out the previous night on a mysterious errand and hasn’t returned. Celie’s husband is with the army in France; she’s dreamt that the postman calls with a telegram from the War Office…
Blue Remembered Hills by Dennis Potter
Directed by Jackie Shearer
This deceptively simple tale relates the activities of seven English children played by adults on a summer afternoon during World War II.
Book online now - BOX OFFICE - or call 01483 284747.
The Taming Of The Shrew
The Taming Of The Shrew by William Shakespeare
Directed by Andrew Hamel-Cooke
Tuesday 22nd to Saturday 26th September at 7:30
Tickets: adults £14, children/students £10.
Lucentio loves Bianca but cannot court her until her shrewish older sister Katherina marries. The eccentric Petruccio marries the reluctant Katherina and uses a number of tactics to render her an obedient wife. Lucentio then marries Bianca. Who will be the most obedient wife?
Book online now - BOX OFFICE - or call 01483 284747.
Play In A Week 2020 - Escape: The Party!
Covid-19: Nomad Theatre postponement of our Spring/Summer Programme
We are sorry to announce that as a result of the guidelines issued by the Government on 16th March we have decided to postpone our March, April, May and June shows and other social activities at the Theatre.
We are looking at rescheduling these shows and we will keep in touch to keep you up to date with news of our activities.
Thank you for your support and we look forward to seeing you at future Theatre events
The Nomad Council
Play In A Week - Escape: The Party! - postponed until 2021
Directed by Brandon McGuire
Saturday 1st August at 7:30 and Sunday 2nd August at 2:30
Tickets: adults £14
Book online now - BOX OFFICE - or call 01483 284747.
Show by The Nomes
Covid-19: Nomad Theatre postponement of our Spring/Summer Programme
We are sorry to announce that as a result of the guidelines issued by the Government on 16th March we have decided to postpone our March, April, May and June shows and other social activities at the Theatre.
We are looking at rescheduling these shows and we will keep in touch to keep you up to date with news of our activities.
Thank you for your support and we look forward to seeing you at future Theatre events
The Nomad Council
Show by The Nomes
To be announced
Friday 3rd and Saturday 4th July at 7:00, Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th July at 2:00
Tickets: adults £10, children/students £7.
Book online now - BOX OFFICE - or call 01483 284747.
My Second Best Bed and Two Sisters
Covid-19: Nomad Theatre postponement of our Spring/Summer Programme
We are sorry to announce that as a result of the guidelines issued by the Government on 16th March we have decided to postpone our March, April, May and June shows and other social activities at the Theatre.
We are looking at rescheduling these shows and we will keep in touch to keep you up to date with news of our activities.
Thank you for your support and we look forward to seeing you at future Theatre events
The Nomad Council
The Nomads in The Studio
Two one-act plays
Tuesday 16th to Saturday 20th June at 7:45
Tickets: adults £12, children/students £12.
My Second Best Bed by Barry Syder
Directed by Moyra Brookes
It’s generally believed Shakespeare cared little for his wife which was endorsed by his strange bequest to her, of his second-best bed. This delightful piece makes one reconsider.
Two Sisters by Caroline Harding
Director to be announced
Sisters Anya and Sonia are goaded into remembering things they’d rather forget, upon discovering an empty coffin in Anya’s lodgings. Twenty-five years before, they both fell in love with the same man. The coffin prompts Anya to tell how, before he died, she tried to protect Sonia from discovering the truth about André…
Book online now - BOX OFFICE - or call 01483 284747.
Princess Ida - in association with BLOS
Covid-19: Nomad Theatre postponement of our Spring/Summer Programme
We are sorry to announce that as a result of the guidelines issued by the Government on 16th March we have decided to postpone our March, April, May and June shows and other social activities at the Theatre.
We are looking at rescheduling these shows and we will keep in touch to keep you up to date with news of our activities.
Thank you for your support and we look forward to seeing you at future Theatre events
The Nomad Council
In association with Bookham Light Operatic Society
Princess Ida by W.S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan
Directed by Jackie Shearer, Musical Director Roger Wilman, Choreographer Gill Eve
Wednesday 20th to Saturday 23rd May at 7:30, matinee on Saturday 23rd at 2:30
Tickets: adults £16, children/students £12.
Princess Ida founds a women’s university and teaches that women are superior to men and should rule in their stead. The discovery of a disguised prince at the university to whom she had been married in infancy results in a war between the sexes.
Book online now - BOX OFFICE - or call 01483 284747.
Honeymoon Suite
Covid-19: Nomad Theatre postponement of our Spring/Summer Programme
We are sorry to announce that as a result of the guidelines issued by the Government on 16th March we have decided to postpone our March, April, May and June shows and other social activities at the Theatre.
We are looking at rescheduling these shows and we will keep in touch to keep you up to date with news of our activities.
Thank you for your support and we look forward to seeing you at future Theatre events
The Nomad Council
Honeymoon Suite by Tony Layton
Directed by Peter Cornish
Tuesday 21st to Saturday 25th April at 7:30
Tickets: adults £14, children/students £10.
Three couples occupy the honeymoon suite of a country hotel. Couple 1: A middle-aged rocker and his devoted PA. Couple 2: A northern lass and a barrow boy from Essex. Couple 3: A suave middle-aged \Romeo’ and an astute, attractive middle-aged woman. Francis, the porter, observes nothing surprises him. The same can’t be said of his guests as they each find out something surprising about their partner.
Book online now - BOX OFFICE - or call 01483 284747.
This production is by arrangement with Stagescripts Ltd
Cheshire Cats
Public Health Update
Covid-19: Nomad Theatre production of Cheshire Cats
Unfortunately, as a result of the fast-moving situation with Covid-19 we have had to take the decision to postpone our production of Cheshire Cats this week. The cast and crew have all worked very hard on this production and we would hope to try and bring this amazing show to you later in the year. Everyone who has bought a ticket will be contacted by the box office shortly.
We will keep you up to date with regards to future productions. Looking forward to seeing you at future Theatre events
The Nomad Council
The Nomads in The Studio
Cheshire Cats by Gail Young
Directed by Marion Millinger
Tuesday 17th to Saturday 21st March at 7:45
Tickets: adults £12, children/students £10.
Grown women, aching feet and heaving bosoms! Follow the team as they speedwalk their way to fundraising success in the London Moonwalk. A cross between a girls night out and a real mission to support a cause close to many hearts, with plenty of laughs and a few tears along the way .
Book online now - BOX OFFICE - or call 01483 284747.
Our 2020 shows
THE HOLLOW
By Agatha Christie
Directed by Murray Stephen
Tuesday 18 to Saturday 22 February at 7.30pm
Tickets: adults £14, children/students £10
A game of romantic follow the leader explodes into murder one weekend at The Hollow. Dr Cristow, a Harley Street lothario, is at the centre of the trouble when assembled in one place, are his wife Gerda, his mistress Henrietta and his former lover, Veronica. Also visiting are Edward and Midge. When Cristow is shot dead, nearly everyone has a motive.
THE NOMADS IN THE STUDIO
CHESHIRE CATS
By Gail Young
Directed by Marion Millinger
Tuesday 17 to Saturday 21 March at 7.45pm
Tickets: adults £12, children/students £10, Grown women, aching feet and heaving bosoms! Follow the Cheshire Cats team as they speedwalk their way to fundraising success in the London Moonwalk. Cheshire Cats is a cross between a girls night out and a real mission to support a cause close to many hearts, with plenty of laughs and a few tears along the way
HONEYMOON SUITE
By Tony Layton
Directed by Peter Cornish
Tuesday 21 to Saturday 25 April at 7.30pm
Tickets: adults £14, children/students £10,
Three couples occupy the honeymoon suite of a country hotel. Couple 1: Jeff a middle-aged rocker and his devoted and quick-witted PA. Couple 2: Gaynor a northern lass and Sam a barrow boy from Essex. Couple 3: Enrico, a suave middle-aged romeo and Paula an astute, attractive middle-aged woman. Francis, the porter has seen it all before, nothing surprises him. The same can’t be said of his guests as they each find out something surprising about their partner.
IN ASSOCIATION WITH BOOKHAM LIGHT OPERATIC SOCIETY
PRINCESS IDA
By W.S Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan
Directed by Jackie Shearer, Musical Director Roger Wilman, Choreographer Gill Eve Wednesday 20 to Saturday 23 May at 7.30pm
Matinee on Saturday 23 at 2.30pm
Tickets: adults £16, children/students £12
Princess Ida founds a women’s university and teaches that women are superior to men and should rule in their stead. The discovery of a disguised prince at the university to whom she had been married in infancy results in a war between the sexes
THE NOMADS IN THE STUDIO: TWO ONE-ACT PLAYS
MY SECOND BEST BED
By Barry Syder
Directed by Moyra Brookes
Tuesday 16 to Saturday 20 June at 7.45pm, Tickets: adults £12, children/students £10
It’s generally believed Shakespeare cared little for his wife which was endorsed by his strange bequest to her, of his second-best bed. This delightful piece makes one reconsider.
TWO SISTERS
By Caroline Harding
Directed by TBC
Tuesday 16 to Saturday 20 June at 7.45pm
Tickets: adults £12, children/students £10
Set in a village in 1880’s Russia, Anya and Sonia are goaded into remembering things they’d rather forget from their early life, upon discovering an empty coffin in Anya’s lodgings. Twenty-five years before, they both fell in love with the same man. The coffin acts as a catalyst to Anya as she tells how, before he died, she tried to protect Sonia from discovering the truth about André……..
TBA: SHOW BY THE NOMES
Presented by The Nomes
Friday 3 and Saturday 4 July at 7pm
Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 July at 2pm
Tickets: adults £10, children/students £7
PLAY IN A WEEK
Directed by Brandon McGuire
Saturday 1 August and Sunday 2 August at 2.30pm and Saturday 1 August at 7.30 Tickets: £13
THE TAMING OF THE SHREW
By William Shakespeare
Directed by Andrew Hamel-Cooke
Tuesday 22 to Saturday 26 September at 7.30pm
Tickets: adults £14, children/students £12
Lucentio loves Bianca but cannot court her until her shrewish older sister Katherina marries. The eccentric Petruccio marries the reluctant Katherina and uses a number of tactics to render her an obedient wife. Lucentio then marries Bianca and, in a contest at the end, Katherina proves to be the most obedient wife.
TWO ONE-ACT PLAYS
HISTORY FOR THREE
By Leo Baker
Directed by TBC
Tuesday 20 to Saturday 24 October at 7.30pm
Tickets: adults £14, children/students £12,
It is June 4th, 1940. Celie lives with her parents on the Kent coast. In the night they have heard the sound of guns.. Celie’s father went out the previous night on a mysterious errand and hasn’t returned. Celie’s husband Jim is with the army in France; she has dreamed that the postman calls with a telegram from the War Office……..
BLUE REMEMBERED HILLS
By Dennis Potter
Directed by Jackie Shearer
Tuesday 20 to Saturday 24 October at 7.30pm
Tickets: adults £14, children/students £12
This deceptively simple tale relates the activities of seven English children played by adults on a summer afternoon during World War II.
THE NOMADS IN THE STUDIO
SHOW TO BE CONFIRMED
Directed by Elaine Burns
Tuesday 10 to Saturday 14 November at 7.45pm
Tickets: adults £12, students/children £10
ALICE IN WONDERLAND
By Lewis Carroll
Adapted and Directed by Graham Botterill
Tuesday 15 to Saturday 19 December at 7.30pm, matinee Saturday 19 at 2.30pm
Tickets: adults £16, children/students £10
This is a new adaptation of this wonderful children’s tale by the Noda Award-winning team.
Virtual Club Nights
During 2020 we have been holding Virtual Club Nights! We will have all the usual fun including a raffle, Nomad Club Draw - but it’s bring-your-own selection of nibbles and drinks (!), while you have a chance to catch up on what the latest government guidance means for our Programme and members events.
Next event: Saturday 14th November, 7pm
If you’re interested in getting involved, please email [email protected] or message us on Facebook.
The Hollow
The Hollow by Agatha Christie
Directed by Murray Stephen
Tuesday 18th to Saturday 22nd February at 7:30
Tickets: adults £14, children/students £10.
A game of romantic follow the leader explodes into murder one weekend at The Hollow. Dr Cristow, a Harley Street lothario, is at the centre of the trouble when assembled in one place, are his wife Gerda, his mistress Henrietta and his former lover, Veronica. Also visiting are Edward and Midge. When Cristow is shot dead, nearly everyone has a motive.
Book online now - BOX OFFICE - or call 01483 284747.
The cast
- Henrietta Angkatell: Moyra Brookes
- Sir Henry Angkatell, K.C.B : Graham Botterill
- Lady Lucy Angkatell: Judy Kelly
- Midge Harvey: Helen Teasdale
- Gudeon: Phil Wilcox
- Edward Angkatell: Dan Shepherd
- Doris: Ellie Sayer
- John Cristow, M.D, F.R.C.P : Michael Ayres
- Veronica Craye: Suzanne Doherty
- Inspector Colquhoun, C.I.D : Jason Spiller
- Detective Sergeant Penny: Stuart Everington
The Hollow was published in 1946 as a book featuring Hercule Poirot. When it was turned into a play in 1951 the part of Poirot was omitted as Agatha Christie felt that Poirot ruined the book! The detectives’ names were also changed for the play. It was turned into a TV movie in 2004 starring David Suchet as Poirot. This adaptation differed from the play in several ways including the denouement at the end.
It was originally premiered at the Arts Theatre Cambridge on 10/2/51. Following a tour, it transferred to The Fortune Theatre London on 7/6/51 and finally transferred to The Ambassadors Theatre London on 8/10/51 where it ran for 11 months (376 performances). The reviewer from The Times described it as “Ingenious entertainment”