The first production from our new AmDram group was an absolute corker! Started as a secret project by the Creative Writers, it morphed from the planned murder mystery into an unexpected alternative Cinderella. Fiona Plant put together the outline script, which was then augmented by the other writers and cast. It was a true team effort, with the script constantly changing until the day before the Christmas party, plus costumes and props sourced from within the cast, with some items also made especially for the occasion. Thanks to April Martel who stepped in at the last minute as props and sounds meister (and took the above photo at the dress rehearsal) when the cast realised this task would be too much to handle on the day. Thanks also to Gill's son Andrew who ensured everything was recorded for posterity. The look on everyone's faces when the pantomime was unleashed on the group audience was a sight to behold, and the production is still a talking point well beyond the performance. Speculation is rife on whether the final song 'Double You Eye' might get a request for a repeat outing - at next year's Wiltshire AM perhaps?
Here's the full cast - Fiona Brunger as the WIcked Stepmother Dee Testible, Fiona Plant as Zippy (aka Buttons/narrator), Michelle Chapman as Boozy (Ugly Sister), Gill Pym as the Fairy Godmother, Clare Smith as Cindy (aka Cinderella), Diane Isaac as Prince RuPert Bottom, and Wendy Warman as Floozy (Ugly Sister).
After the applause and laughter had subsided, we enjoyed our traditional Christmas party bring and share supper, plus a raffle with a twist - with members deciding which prizes they'd like to allocate their raffle tickets to.
Our collection table overflowed with donations of food and toiletries for Chippenham's Doorway project; a new initiative this year with an amazing response from members. Doorway were overwhelmed with the bootful of supplies duly delivered to them, as were the receptionists and gentleman patient at Hathaway Medical Centre when Michelle delivered 3 bagfuls of lightly worn bras for their bra bank! Elsewhere this month, the Book Club reviewed A Highland Christmas and Ginny showed the Crafty Crew how to make Christmas decorations using citrus slices, cinnamon sticks and other foodie fare. They also enjoyed making the star decoration featured in WI Life. Finally, the Flexi Club met twice for two popular gatherings, once for breakfast at Allington Cafe and then for a festive gathering to see if Rivo Lounge's mulled wine was up to scratch (it was!). Michelle has sneaked in an additional Flexi Club this month, with her post-Christmas Get Unstuffed walk on Friday 28th at 10am. Happy New Year everyone!