Winchester Today - December 2022

It’s Panto time!

Head to Theatre Royal Winchester this festive season for their traditional family pantomime, The Wizard of Oz, on until Mon 2 January 2023.

As always, expect a panto that’s perfect for all ages and packed full of corny jokes, original songs and audience participation. This year’s magical production is brought to the stage by the same team behind 2019’s award-nominated Dick Whittington and last year’s hit Aladdin – writer and director James Barry and composer Simon Slater.

The lead this year, Dorothy, is played by Abigail Coy – who celebrates her professional debut after recently graduating from Liverpool Theatre School.

Scarecrow is played by Max Gallagher – who has performed across the UK in shows such as War Horse, James the Giant Peach and History Boys

Rusty (made of tin) is played by familiar face, Libby Gore, who made her Winchester debut in Dick Whittington; returned the following year to star in Four Dames in Search of a Panto; and played the lead in last year’s Aladdin.

The Lion is played by the beloved Julian Eardley, who has performed in 13 Winchester pantos (including this one).

Julian opens the show in his true dame fashion as Aunt Em, before reprising the role of Lion – which he played 13 years ago in the theatre’s 2009 production of Wizard of Oz

Also returning to Theatre Royal Winchester is Jon Bonner, who appeared 2019’s Dick Whittington; and wowed audiences with his live trumpet playing. This year he’ll take on a number of roles, including the Wizard himself!

Katie Stasi steps into Glinda’s shoes. Another recent graduate, Katie played the lead in London’s Stanley Arts Theatre’s first full-scale pantomime.

The Wicked Witch of the West is played by Ellie McMahon –who has played numerous pantomimes roles including Sleeping Beauty and Cinderella

The cast will be joined by a talented support cast made up of Lewis Galvin, Elizabeth Davis, Holly Gardner-Hall, Jessica Thomas, Hannah Exworth, Lucy Hurt, Peter Lucas, and also returning (from last year’s support cast) – Olivia Day, Maria Webb and Nina Miller.

The theatre wants everyone to enjoy The Wizard of Oz and in an environment that is right for them so they have a number of accessible performances, including Relaxed (specially designed for children and adults with learning difficulties, special needs or Autistic Spectrum Condition), Audio-described with Touch Tour, and BSL-interpreted. You can also watch from the comfort of your own device with Livestream performances. See back page for details.

When it comes to festive family fun, there really is no place like Theatre Royal Winchester!

Box Office 01962 840 440 theatreroyalwinchester.co.uk Theatre Royal Winchester, Jewry St, Winchester, SO23 8SB

Libby Gore as Princess in Four Dame in Search of a Panto

Libby Gore and Jon Bonner in Dick Whittington

Julian Eardley as the Dame in Dick Whittington

This cover wrap is generously donated by Winchester Today’s ArtsPlus Covid Recovery Project.

Years of planning for Winchester Today’s DAB+ radio station finally came to fruition recently as it got underway on a brand new digital system alongside 18 brand new DAB+ digital radio services. They’re all on air in Winchester as transmission provider UK DAB Networks powered up its Winchester DAB+ transmitter. The transmissions are licenced by regulator Ofcom, and enable a new generation of local, charitable and small businesses to have access to digital airwaves for the first time using cutting edge DAB+ technology.

Ash Elford is from UK DAB Networks: “It has always been important to me that digital radio was accessible to all broadcasters of all types. By having something for everyone, digital radio will be able to thrive. Winchester has a special place in my heart, having lived and worked in the city. This multiplex has a great line-up of services and very good coverage.”

There we are then. Two years after we first applied to be on the new DAB+ multiplex for Winchester, we got the goahead from OFCOM to broadcast as a community radio station. The station was officially launched from our studio in Southgate Street on 8 October by our MP Steve Brine as he cut the blue ribbon. As you can see, we also played host as the multiplex itself officially launched on the same day with the Mayor cutting the green ribbon. My great friend Clare Carson blessed the whole thing! Since the launch, my greatest pleasure has been hearing from people who are now able to listen to us in the car. It’s a real game-changer. Make no mistake about it, there had to be a reason for doing this. My thoughts were that it was a ‘no-brainer’ on what should be our goal. Supporting The Arts.

The lockdown decimated the Arts not just here, but at venues that we also know, love and visit further afield in Southampton, Basingstoke and Salisbury. So it was that we set about convincing OFCOM, our transmission provider and the great and good in Winchester about what we wanted to do, as well as organisations around Hampshire and beyond.

As well as supporting the Arts, we’ve matched the support with amazing music from the 60s, 70s and 80s, hosted by professional presenters who volunteer their time. Thanks here to Jon Gripton, Chrissie Pollard, Connor Gormley and Jess Garner. Thanks also to our amazing team of volunteer show reviewers… Eleanor, Helena, Sophia, David, Beccy and Mark. You are the BEST!

You will also see adverts in this edition that show who we’re supporting, from the tiniest venue to the largest. Please support them. Make an effort to go and see a show. Enjoy the beautiful classical music in the amazing acoustics of the Anvil main auditorium. Book early for the Cheriton Players. Just sit and go ‘wow’ at a big show in the Mayflower like ‘Les Mis’ or ‘War Horse’. Be enthralled with the young talent at Perins. Book an arts class at Hampshire’s newest venue in Stockbridge. Pledge your support to Hat Fair. Above all, enjoy what the region has to offer! Thanks. Kevin Gover.

NEVER SAY TREVOR AGAIN

The Cheriton Players – Cheriton Village Hall and on location

by Eleanor Marsden

November 2019 heralded the launch of the Cheriton Players’ multi-media spoof, Diamonds are for Trevor, a film-plus-live-action performance which proved so popular that they were persuaded to regroup (despite the challenges of Covid) to present this Bond-style sequel – written and directed by Helena Gomm. ‘Oh no! He’s back!’ pronounces the programme cover, the eponymous hero, (Trevor Bond, 771; brother to 007) brandishing a vacuum cleaner in the classic silhouette pose. This sets the scene for an updated (and once again astutely-written) villain and some suitably daredevil escapades which leave the audience once again crying with laughter. In the history of hit-or-miss sequels, this one is definitely a hit.

Cutting stage action against projected backdrops with pre-filmed sequences, Never Say Trevor Again is able to move from MI6’s HQ to the Hampshire countryside to a Tiger Moth in a loop-the-loop – and everything in between. Gomm’s writing is expertly current, peppered with political and local jokes to rival professional panto, and hilariously pointed, focusing on a plot operated via online megamarket, ‘Orinoco’(!) by nefarious British entrepreneur, James Dyhard – inventor of the ‘Anti-Vax’ vacuum.

Never Say Trevor Again succeeds on a number of levels, not least because of the huge community effort evident from the roll-call of names acknowledged for filming locations, equipment loans, cast, crew, musicians, technicians, drone operators, model-makers... the commitment to the project over a long period from what is a relatively small community is astounding, and succeeds in pulling off an impressively slick performance which should by rights be seen by more people in a bigger venue. Producer, David Cradduck (or, David ‘Cubby Cauliflower’, as he is credited!) has managed to wrangle shoots, rehearsals and even local pets to ensure the production comes together as slickly as possible.

Truly an ensemble piece, Charlie Hellard nonetheless confidently reprises his role as the bumbling but ultimately triumphant Trevor to lead a cast of old and new faces in the Trevor franchise. The underlying star of the show, however, has to be the filmed sequences from Director of Photography, Jim Glaister and team. Clearly taking the old adage that ‘the sky is the limit’ quite literally, the team have filmed (and taken part in) aerobatic stunts, drone filming and engaged in some impressive editing, to produce some memorable and laugh-out-loud sequences. Visual references to both the previous Trevor film and classic Bond and cinema moments abound. This is light-years away from what might typically be expected from ‘village hall’ drama.

Review

The commitment to the project over a long period… is astounding

Frankly, Never Say Trevor Again and its predecessor would not be out of place in a Christmas TV special: Part Johnny English, part The Play That Goes Wrong, part Mrs Brown’s Boys, and definitely part Bond, this is a hilarious and fond community triumph. Cast and crew have clearly had a riot creating it and the sell-out audience’s whooping applause conveyed their appreciation. Bravo, Cheriton Players. Perhaps, like so many Bonds, Trevor may return in the future? I’ll buy my tickets now for... well, it’s got to be, Tomorrow Trevor Dies!

IMAGES: CRAIG ROBERTSON

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Merry Christmas from Pearsons!

Despite the world changing in more than a few ways this year, we have seen the market hold its nerve in Winchester. We have enjoyed some excellent sales across the portfolio, both town and country. With demand still very much out there, we anticipate a more stable year in 2023 and are looking forward to it.

Another highlight this year was becoming a sponsor for Winchester Today Radio’s Saturday shows!

If you are considering moving over next year or simply interested in the price of your property – please do get in touch, we would love to hear from you. In the meantime, have a lovely festive season!

Sam McCathie

Mark Gilbert

Kelsey Nineham

Andrea Hoyes

Lettings Negotiator

Claire O’Leary Property Manager

Dorothy Finds Thousands of Friends

REVIEW : THE WIZARD OF OZ – A TRADITIONAL FAMILY PANTOMIME THEATRE ROYAL WINCHESTER – 6TH DECEMBER 2022

by David Cradduck

“Follow the Yellow Brick Road”! Is there anyone reading this who has never seen or heard of L Frank Baum’s classic children’s tale made famous by the ground breaking 1939 blockbuster film starring Judy Garland? I doubt it… generations have grown up with the fabled story of Dorothy and her little dog Toto being whisked away by a twister from her farm in Kansas to a strange land with Munchkins, witches, her three strange companions and the winding yellow brick road.

What a classic tale, then, to transform into a panto, which is exactly what James Barry (who has now written and directed 22 in-house shows at the Theatre Royal, 18 of them being pantomimes) and his team have pulled off for this Christmas’s seasonal offering in Winchester.

Along with Simon Slater who composed and supervised the music (this is his 14th at TRW) and Rachel Fox, Creative Producer and Director, Barry has taken a children’s story and subtly woven in every panto gag and trick in the festive book to produce a heartwarming, sincere show which embraces both the audience and the spirit of panto whilst retaining the integrity of the story. The clue is in the subtitle – ‘A Traditional Family Pantomime’ – and boy does this show fit those words perfectly.

The lovely thing about the Theatre Royal, and I’ve said this before, is that it’s big and beautiful enough to be a proper traditional theatre but cosy enough to afford the luxury of seeing the actor’s faces in detail, for the audience to feel part of the show and to feel that, as you watch, you are part of it not just an observer from afar.

The cast, headed up by the ever-camp familiar cheeky face of Julian Eardley doubling as The Lion and Aunt Em (sporting the over the top lipstick, panto-dame-style costume and an accent from somewhere ‘up North’ – north Kansas apparently!), play every scripted and unscripted line as if it’s the first time they or the audience have ever heard it. Such fresh, funny self-effacing wisecracks that work on so many levels. Children laugh their heads off at the slapstick, traditional ‘it’s behind you/On no it’s not’ stuff (the adults do too because they’re only big kids after all) whilst some of the more subtle jokes are often local “What’s Kansas like? Well, imagine Eastleigh” or at the mention of Winchester, Eardley quips “there’s posh!”. The humour is never gratuitous with only the odd poo/bogey one-liner thrown in – this is genuinely good fun, clap, cheer and boo/hissalong entertainment, the perfect antidote for so much misery and hardship going on in the real world. Abigail Coy is a delightful Dorothy – notably the only one with an American accent – as she sings (beautifully), skips and explores her new land of Oz with her newfound friends Lion, Scarecrow and Rusty, a new name for the tin woodman. Libby Gore as Rusty is squeaky clean (get it?) in her delivery and characterisation. It’s always difficult for actors to bring something new to well-known roles but she and Max Gallagher as Scarecrow pull it off without spoiling the well-loved illusion. Gallagher has all the best lines by far, many of them appearing to be off-piste ad libs at, and with, the audience – he pulls a water pistol on the stalls (he carries one in case of fire), he jokes with us and himself “I haven’t got a Brian… I did wonder about that when I read the script” and takes us through the singing competition – adults vs kids – culminating in the final line about a scarecrow being out-standing in his field, to cover one of many seamless scene changes going on behind the front tabs. He is genuinely in his element and plays a mean accordion and double bass too.

Another actor musician who steals the show playing three parts is Jon Bonner, a familiar face at Theatre Royal Winchester’s Christmas pantos. As well as being Uncle Henry and the trumpet playing Gatekeeper of Oz, he channels an amazing Eric Morecambe in the one-scene role of The Mayor of Munchkin. Whether that uncannily good impression will be lost on anyone younger than about 50 is questionable but it matters not a jot because he’s hilarious in his own right with perfect comic timing and larger than life stage presence.

Newcomer Katie Stasi makes a suitably glittering Glinda, the Good Witch (of the North) whilst Ellie McMahon is wonderfully evil (and green!) as Glinda’s nemesis The Wicked Witch of the West. Scary but not frightening, aided by a troop of monkeys resembling those endearing wind-up toys with a cymbal in each hand.

Completing the talented ensemble is a group of ten supporting cast who dance, sing and add colour and finishing touches to a very polished and professional show but which still feels delightfully home spun and inviting. Oh, and don’t forget the star appearance of spaniel Lily as Toto whose amusing biography includes ‘a career in repertory at Barking’… and who tends to be ‘a little ruff in the mornings’. Boom-boom!

Mark Dymock’s stunning lighting and Beth Rose’s amazing costumes add the finishing touches (I love the comment about the Lion’s comfy loafers with ‘vegan uppers and a non-carbon emitting sole). The Wicked Witch’s costume is a particularly spectacular green and black number, and the overall visual effect is just wonderful, with traditional drop down backdrops, colourful and beautifully painted scene sets and a two piece band belting it out from a camouflaged but still visible den in the front of the auditorium.

All in all, this is family panto at its best – and even if panto is not really your thing, if you don’t enjoy this show you obviously must have leapt straight from cradle to adulthood, missing out childhood on the way!

IMAGES: THE OTHER RICHARD

“A heart-warming, sincere show which embraces both the audience and the spirit of panto whilst retaining the integrity of the story.”

St Peter’s Pupil Scoops Grand Prize in MP’s Christmas Card Competition

April from St Peter’s Catholic Primary School, has won Steve Brine’s annual Christmas Card competition.

The Year 4 pupil follows in the footsteps of previous winners from across the constituency and won first prize with a picture depicting her cat looking out through a window at a Christmassy scene. April won tickets to the Wizard of Oz at Theatre Royal Winchester for herself and her family.

As well as the main prize, there were also a range of year group winners and commendations, and as a new annual tradition, an overall runner-up, Gouri Jadhav of Sherborne House School.

All winners, commendations and finalists have been displayed in the atrium of The Arc, Winchester.

The headteacher of St Peter’s Catholic Primary School, Louise Buxton, who’s student April won the competition said; “St Peter’s received quite a few paintings for Steve’s competition from the children, with so many being of a high standard.

“April was absolutely thrilled to have been chosen as the overall winner, beating out over 400 other children. April enjoys her art and perhaps one day she will be a famous artist?”

Steve Brine says the response was terrific: “We had a huge amount of entries with just over 400 children from across Winchester and Chandler’s Ford taking part. I’m hugely thankful to all their busy teachers for giving the time to allow the children to take part in this year’s competition.

“My congratulations go to April, her brilliant design will be sent to His Majesty the King and the Prime Minister, who got

many other people and organisations across Westminster and Winchester and Chandler’s Ford. Well done to all the Year Group and Commendation winners as well”

Pictured: Steve Brine and April at this year’s winner’s presentation, Steve Brine and Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, with winner’s design, April’s winning design and Gouri’s runner-up painting.

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They’re off to see the Wizard...

We sat down with Abigail Coy who makes her professional debut as our lead, Dorothy, and panto veteran, Julian Eardley, who this year plays Aunt Em and the Lion in The Wizard of Oz. We find out how they’re both feeling about heading down that Yellow Brick Road.

Hi Abigail, welcome to Winchester! This is your first professional job and you’re playing the lead! How do you feel?

Abigail: Coming out of drama school into a lead role has certainly been a daunting but exciting experience. The Wizard of Oz is a story I have loved since I was a child and getting to play Dorothy is a dream come true – though first seeing how many lines Dorothy had sent me into a tizzy! Luckily, I have been supported the whole way – from Julian guiding me through the paperwork and our director, James Barry, answering every one of my 1,000 questions since he cast me. I am delighted to be able to share a story and a character I love and share a stage with such wonderful actors who have taught me a lot.

Julian! This is your 13th panto for Theatre Royal Winchester. You played the Lion in 2009’s Wizard of Oz How do you feel about reprising the role?

Julian: I am very excited to be getting another go at being the Lion of Oz. He is a sweetie!

But we know and love you as our panto dame so is it a nice change or will you miss playing the dame?

Julian: It will be a big change, but also lots of fun. I will still have a few costume changes as I am also Aunt Em in Kansas at the start of the show. So, I am very lucky as I still get a bit of my usual dame action. Christmas isn’t Christmas to me without a bit of red lippy and a sprinkle of glitter!

Abigail, have you done panto before?

Abigail: My first and only other experience was an amateur pantomime in Southport – Cinderella in 2018, which helped me overcome my stage fright! I was an ensemble member as I was too afraid to audition for anything else. In fact, it was only my dance teacher’s insistence that made me audition at all. It’s strange looking back, now playing the lead!

Julian, how many pantos have you been in now?

Julian: 22! Wow! What has been your favourite character?

Julian: Back in 1996 I played Boy 4 in Robin Hood, which was a lot of fun. But since I have started playing dames, I have a soft spot for Dame Dolly in Dick Whittington

Do you have any rituals before going on stage?

Julian: I have a different ritual for every show, but mainly it’s about being relaxed and calm before all the fun and mayhem starts.

Continues overleaf...

This cover wrap is generously donated by Winchester Today’s ArtsPlus Covid Recovery Project.

Abigail Coy

Julian Eardley Julian as the Dame in last year’s Aladdin

Abigail, you recently made the move from Lancashire to London and you’re now here for panto. Have you visited Winchester before and how does it feel to be so far from home (like Dorothy in Oz!) this Christmas? Are your family coming to see the panto or live-streaming it?

Abigail: The first time I visited was last month when myself and Julian helped turn the Christmas lights on and it felt like being transported to a different world like Dorothy! I may be far from home but the feel of Winchester reminds me very much of my small village back home. It’s a lovely city! It’s going to be a strange Christmas for me. My family is very important to me and although I have lived away for university and drama school, I have never not spent a Christmas at home unwrapping presents with my brothers – but my parents, brothers, aunts, uncles, half a dozen of my cousins, and even my real-life Aunty Em are travelling down for opening night to support me, so I don’t feel so far from home!

Julian, do you have any advice for Abigail?

Julian: Abigail doesn’t need any advice from an old dame like me as she is gorgeous as Dorothy. I am hoping to learn how to work TikTok from her, plus apparently, she makes a mean vodka slammer if you ask her nicely!

Abigail, any Christmas traditions?

Abigail: Despite me and most of my brothers being grown up now, Mum still won’t let us into the living room until ‘Santa has been’! It’s a tradition she sticks very firmly to and really keeps that magical Christmas feeling when we can all finally attack our stockings!

Julian, do you have a favourite Christmas story/movie/song?

Julian: A Christmas Carol (Dickens and Muppets) and Eartha Kitt’s Santa Baby

Do you have a festive joke for us?

Julian: What do you call an elf that runs away from Santa’s workshop? A rebel without a Claus!

Finally, Julian, if you could ask the Wizard of Oz to grant you one wish, what would it be?

Julian: New teeth and no back pain! Oops, that’s two!

The Wizard of Oz runs until Mon 2 January 2023 at Theatre Royal Winchester.

Box Office 01962 840 440 theatreroyalwinchester.co.uk Theatre Royal Winchester, Jewry St, Winchester, SO23 8SB

Dorothy and Aunt Em with host Jonny Meah at the Winchester Christmas Light Switch-On in November

Posing for a selfie: Julian as Dame Dolly from 2019’s Dick Whittington.

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generously donated by Winchester Today’s ArtsPlus Covid Recovery Project.