Welcome to the 1920s! Time to forget the 2020s and Charleston your way back 100 years!
It is interesting to reflect on the similarities and differences of “The Twenties” 100 years ago and now. The most obvious parallel being the 1918 global pandemic. Post-war and at the start of an industrial revolution, the desire to have fun was high on many people’s agenda.
After two years of lockdowns and isolation, in the middle of a technological revolution and with war in Europe, it’s interesting to see how society reacts now.
The most glaring difference being the tech – I’m not sure how Mrs Granville would have felt about our first read-through all being on devices!
I wanted to choose this show after being apart so much to re-instil that sense of fun and freedom, though even that has brought it’s own interesting challenges, I think many have found it hard to express themselves physically without technology again.
But “by jove” we’re going to have fun this weekend! And we hope you do too. Enjoy the show!
Synopsis
Come and celebrate the Roaring Twenties with madcap Flapper Polly Pepper and her friends!
(& a few of her adversaries!)
Polly is about to turn 18 and inherit “The Ice Garden” necklace, but with gangsters and mobsters and just about everyone else out to try and swipe it, it looks like the birthday party is doomed before it’s begun. Meanwhile, Augusta Granville, Polly’s Aunt who is hosting the party, doesn’t know if she’s coming or going or mahjonging with the rather-too-friendly Duke & Duchess advising her on the stock market.
On the other side of town, Mona Schlumpgarden is trying to keep the Crazy Cat Nite Club jumping, but with radio personalities trying to steal her acts and Lieutenant Fluke on her back, she might just have to come up with another plan. Luckily there’s a few handy “violinists” hanging around that might just be able to help her.
With Flagpole Sitters, Ziegfeld Follies, news reporters and new fella Buck Wayne on the scene, it looks like Polly has her hands full, but nothing can deter her from a Charleston, a sparkling glass of Polar Bear Ginger Ale and saving the day! It’s all just the cat’s meow.
Scenes & Numbers
Running time approximately 2hrs, including 20 minute interval.
Alcohol was prohibited in the 1920’s, it’s not anymore so please join us at the bar!!
Act One
Happy Days Are Here Again
Scene 1 – Live broadcast from Radio WWWW
Ev’rybody Charleston
Scene 2 – The Granville Estate, Polly returns
Flapper
Stocks and Bonds
Scene 3 – Plotting at the Crazy Cat Nite Club
Ev’rybody Charleston
The Roaring Twenties
Scene 4 – A new visitor at the Granville Estate
Scene 5 – Bringing you the latest news!
Scene 6 – Flagpole sitting
You’re Making History Today
Scene 7 – More arrivals at the Granville Estate
Ev’rybody Charleston
Act Two
Scene 1 – The Follies at the Ziegfeld Theatre
It Has to be Jazz
Scene 2 – Another broadcast from Radio WWWW
Ev’rybody Charleston
Scene 3 – Party preparations at the Granville Estate
There’s Life in the Old Gal Yet
Scene 4 – Up in the skies!
Gee it’s Swell
Scene 5 – Mrs Granville gets flustered
Didja Ever
Scene 6 – The Crazy Cat is closed
Mona’s Moanin’
Scene 7 – More of the latest news
Scene 8 – The Party
Flapper Reprise
Cast
At the Granville Residence
Buck Wayne – Rowan Hunnisett
Augusta Granville – Tabitha Gardiner
Duke of Milford – Sam Orme
Friends of Polly
Bunny – Maymady Kyaw
Dusty – Harvey Lewis
Tweedles – Maddy Rickard
Susan – Molly Povall
Tommy – Maxime Abecassis-Loyer
At the Crazy Cat
Mona Schlumpgarden – Ealish Bowerman
Corporal – Joseph Holt
Terrance Stone – Brodie Miller
Trixie – Larika Jones
Muggs O’Toole – Fred Jones
Celebrities
Roberta Everly – Eloise Holt
Wanda Everly – Lola Gardiner
Ted Loveland – Albert Mortimer
Monica Woodsquirrel – Amelie Seabrook
Miss Morris – Amy Wright
Mini News reporters
We were so sad last year that the Minis group didn’t get to show themselves off as playing cards more than once as it was a big role for them and they had worked so hard on their characters. But we are very much looking forward to seeing them strut their stuff as news reporters this year.
Production Team
- Amy Scott – Director & Producer
- Erika Montenegro – Choreographer
- Ben Bar-Lev – Musical Director
- Anna Wright – Minis Director
- Joanne Ray – Costumier
- Kai Struzyna – Hair & Make-up
- Chris Scott – Assistant Producer
- Juan Bowerman – Props Assistant
- Anna Standish – Assistant to Madam Director
- Caitlin Smith – Lighting
- Ross Browne – Sound
- Adrian Rance-McGregor – Photography
Thank you so much too to all the chaperones, trustees and those helping on the bar & front of house, we couldn’t do it without you!
Rehearsal
Thank you so much too to all the chaperones, trustees and those helping on the bar & front of house, we couldn’t do it without you!
Dorothy in Wonderland
The show that was, then wasn’t, then was again but then didn’t quite make it in the end!
LAMDA
Take your grades in Acting
Much like graded music exams, we work towards grades to hone acting skills, which are marked against certain criteria (technique, interpretation, knowledge).
Small groups have online sessions once a week working towards individual performance pieces that are examined in the Spring. We also have some in-person weekend rehearsals.
We work on developing in-depth characters through analysis and improvisations, as well as honing artistic skills such as diction & communication. It’s all about an individuals acting with no reliance on scenery, costumes, props, etc.
Please let Amy know if you’d be interested in taking part.
Extra! Extra! Read all about it!
New Gobo coming soon!
The time has come to expand a little as we don’t want the groups getting too big and our personal-touch to get diluted. So we’re excited to be starting a new session time from September.
Fridays
3:45 to 6pm
Harwell Village Hall
Ages 11 – 19