A Variety Show was our June 2023 production. This gave the Players a chance to showcase its talented members that audiences saw for the first time in three years, in our March 2023 Pantomime – Mother Goose, (including some new faces.)
Reactions from the audience were very appreciative – here are some of their comments:
“What a wonderful night shared with my family and friends at the Players variety evening, what super talent we have in the town, definitely something for everyone”
“What a show, I laughed, cried and sang along, and a mixture for all ages, well done Loddon Players”
“The variety show was an absolutely excellent performance from the whole cast, with hilarious quips that my face is still aching from laughing at, to beautiful singing from all. My children & I had an absolutely wonderful time & thank you to all the Loddon Players for a fabulous evening of pure entertainment.”
“it was absolutely wonderful, I had such a great time thank you for a lovely evening, I laughed so much I was in tears it was really what I needed I enjoyed getting out & seeing you all especially the lovely Tilly she’s such a character. You all did fantastically I can’t wait for the next thing you put on”
“thank you Players for another brilliant show, well done everyone!”
It was an opportunity for our audience to see the inimitable, hilarious Maureen Larkin with Anthony Bunting, together once again as compères for the evening (and in the latter case, also a performer).
We were delighted to welcome again the brilliant Funky Feet dancers and performers, choreographed by the amazing Miss Vicky who opened the show with a medley of dances, linked with a lovely solo song by Amy Skepelhorn.
Sketches and monologues throughout the show followed performed by the players ensemble of:
Beth Rose-Waghorn, Peter Samain, David Bingham, Jane Rainer, Adam Kellingray-Williamson, Anthony Bunting, Sam Bailey, Linda and Alastair Skepelhorn, Jody-Michelle Chapman, Vicki McDicken and Jackie Bingham.
First up though was Tilly the dog and her trainer, Sam Bailey who wowed the audience with her counting and sock removal skills!
Comedy followed, mostly written by our resident scribe, Steve Burton but including a Two Ronnies sketch – “two blokes in a pub”.
More comedy around the theme of marriage followed before the show finished the first half on an upbeat note with a medley of Dusty Springfield songs from our trio of singers – Jane Rainer, Jody-Michelle Chapman and Vicki McDicken.
The second half opened with a solo by Adam Kellingray-Williamson singing “If I were a rich man” from Fiddler on the Roof.
More comedy sketches followed including Peter Samain’s version of Tommy Coopers famous “Hats” monologue.
The finale saw our singers, Jody-Michelle Chapman, Adam Kellingray-Williamson, Linda Skepelhorn, Jane Rainer, Vicki McDicken and David Bingham singing a rousing medley from Les Miserables, joined for the final chorus, by the rest of the cast.
