From Jill Westley, Marshfield, Wisconsin, U.S.A .
Hello to Wendy Ing and all other roadies who may remember me from the late eighties. I am the american girl who had great fun doing british accents in shows like 'Seasons' Greetings' and then showing off my yank accent in 'Plaze Suite'. What a pleasure to find your site and have such happy memories brought back. My husband Roy and our two year old daughter Brittaney will be back for a visit over the Christmas holiday. Perhaps we will be able to see some old friends.
Break lots of legs.
Jill
From Rebecca Fox currently in USA
I was just surfing around during my spare time and was delighted to come across this
site. I was a member of junior ROADS from 1984 to 1992 and am very pleased that it appears to be
going stronger than ever. I am currently studying for a degree in music - Brenda Smith will no doubt
remember me as a singer - and was fortunate enough to be selected to study for a semester in
Pennsylvania, USA. Unfortunately I arrived just a little too late to be involved in the college
production of 'Hello Dolly'. Best of luck for the rest of the season and beyond
From Our Correspondant in Birmingham
What fun the Pantomime was. I was so glad the weather kept well enough for us to visit. Only just mind - as a day or two later we had that dreadful spell of ice and snow. (Oh yes we did!)
It was delightful - a wonderful team effort - and every single one was to be congratulated on splendid performances.
I thought the children's dance was lovely. It made me think of all the plays and dances required of us in school, and as someone who has had to organise such events I appreciate how much work went into the children's performance. Of course we didn't see James Lee-Hynes royal nurse character but what a replacement in Tony Hearn - He was marvellous, very funny and talented - writing songs, directing as well as stepping into the breach, too.
Who could fail to be caught up in the fun of it, especially the infectious laugh of Anne Catcheside as the Queen and the humorous frolics of Gordon Beard's King. Richard Mayo's clowning Oddjob was just perfect for a family audience's fun. In days where often smuttiness and seedy jokes are the order of the day he managed a wonderful balance of fun and laughter.
Angharad Renno was a pretty Princess in true Panto tradition and a good foil for Prince Handsome very ably played by Rebecca Ball. She has such talent and flair for stage work and a genuine knack for extracting the very best out of every part she plays - very like her father - He must be very proud of her.
Who better for Olga Pong than Loraine. She was malicious and appealing all at the same time - and with that majestic and powerful voice she could shatter granite.
By contrast the three fairy godmothers were charming in every sense of the word. Avril was engaging and gentle, Joanna can put on the 'impish-roguish' face to perfection and Barbara - the slightly dazed fairy with the puzzled expression - a wonderful threesome.
Squint played by Liam Lee-Hynes was quietly very funny indeed. Simon DeVay - a relative newcomer has proved a very versatile actor. -His weird Gormless was quite splendid -'revolting' - take your pick.
Everyone deserves much praise especially the backstage members who costume6 and lighted the performance very well indeed Together with the 'bit' players who needed to be there but only quietly in the background they provided a happy evening's entertainment for all.
ANN MORT NORTHFIELD, BIRMINGHAM
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