Sinbad the Sailor (2007)

Director - Barbara O’Neill
Choreographer - Lisa Richardson
Musical Director - Helen Brymer

Committee

Chair - Julia Igglesden
Treasurer - Liz Aggiss
Secretary - Stephanie Hornett
Marian Nicholson
Charlotte Harmer
Andrew Kozminski
Tracey James
Simon Aggiss
Cast Rep - Ziggi Szafranski

Performers

Mrs Sinbad (Dame) - James Peacock
Sillibillibad (Comic) - Ziggi Szafranski
Cassim the Corsair (Villain) - Tony Dent
Sinbad (Principal Boy) - Louise Wilkinson
Princess Ruby (Principal Girl) - Stephanie Hornett
Princess Fatima - Krysza Szafranski
Queen of the Diamond Valley - Sarah Greenwood
Spirit of the Sea - Kate Gardner
Calipha of Baghdad - Rebecca Mills
Mickey the Monkey - Abbey Martin
Dancers of Balsora - Krysza Szafranski, Abbey Martin, Emily Greenfield, Rebecca White, Becky Nicholas, Abi Rideout

Attendants to the Sea Spirit - James Harmer & Louise Gardner

Junior Chorus

Louise Gardner, Hannah Bissmire,  Georgina Dunn, Emily Parkinson, Nicole Boyd, James Harmer, Chloe Harmer, Brett Sewell, Felicity Carr, Emily James, Andrew DeSouza, Austin deSouza, Emily Peckett, Ashleigh Hall,  Holly Artis

Behind the Scenes

Stage Director - Simon Aggiss
Stage Manager - Emily Page
Lighting Director - Andrew Kozminski
Lighting Assistants - Sebastian Cook & Harry Parkinson
Lighting Operator - James Dunn
Sound - Michael Dunn
Props - Liz Aggiss
Hats and Masks created by - Jan Szafranski
Repeteteur - Helen Brymer
Music Engineer - John Sulek & Ziggi Szafranski
Set Design - Simon Aggiss aided by Jan Szafranski
Prompt - Berry Butler, Jennifer Greenwood, Christine Bower
Make-Up - Julie Moylan & Ania Kozminski
Wigs/Hair - Becky Robson
Box Office & Sponsorship by Fine & Country homes from Park & Bailey
Photos, Poster & Programme - Jan Szafranski
Publicity/Advertising - Julia Igglesden & Andrew Kozminski
Raffle - Gloria Martin
Backstage Crew - Simon Aggiss, Tracey James, Emily Page, Andy Shaw, Jan Kozminski, Dave Collingridge, Matthew Martin
Painters - Darren Johnson, Louisa Brooker, Veronica Johnstone, Tracey James, Martin Eagles  
Seamstresses - Marian Nicholson, Julia Igglesden, Veronica Johnstone, Chris Chilvers, Krysia Szafranski and parents
Musicians - Helen Brymer (with John Sulek & Ziggi Szafranski)
Chaperones - Charlotte Harmer, Julie Greenfield, Sue Carr, Caroline Parkinson, Vivienne White, Veronica Johnston, Alison Nicholas, Liz Sewell
Front-of-House - Tony DeSouza, Nancy Collard, Julia Igglesden, David & Gloria Martin, Harold Dunn, Jan Kozminski, Liz Sewell

Woldingham Panto Quiz Night

2007 Fundraiser  not printed in full in Village Magazine (Dec 2006)

Yes, it's that time again (oh no, it isn't)... when members of our fair community take a little bit extra Christmas spirit and regress into childhood, booing and hissing at some neighbours while cheering others (fools and men in frocks alike)... all in the best nature of course! For the uninitiated out there, we're talking about the Woldingham Pantomime, which this year is 'Sinbad the Sailor'. This is a tradition we've had in Woldingham for nearly 60 years now, and is much a part of Christmas in Woldingham as is Christmas turkey and crackers.

Putting on a show like this takes a lot of dedication and hard work... but it also costs a lot of money. So last October 20th the Panto committee held a quiz night in the Village Hall to raise funds and it was a huge success. You weren't there?... You missed a great evening of suspense, groans and cheers, all fuelled by excellent food and drink. Ziggi Szafranski (who can be seen as Sillibillibad in this year's production) was the host, deftly managing the baying hordes as they tried to answer his challenging(ish) questions. Many a groan was heard as questions like "how many self-portraits did Van Gogh paint?" appeared on the screen behind him... to be swiftly followed by yelps of competitive excitement as questions like "who won the World Cup in 1970?" appeared. Three rounds of questions, and many a Joker played, saw most of the teams (named after past shows) jockeying for top position... a noticeable exception being 'Mother Goose', but more on that later... before food was served.

Many thanks must go to the committee and their supporters for their very tasty and welcome shepherd's pies (a nice change, especially in the cold weather) which were swiftly served along with salad, to be followed with a nicely rustic serving of cheese and apple. Not only were the committee busy serving drinks at the bar and cooking the food... but they also managed to cobble together a table and join in the quiz... providing a welcome target for the competitive tables.

While everyone chowed down, Ziggi provided a special written round to accompany the repast. In the form of a simple 8 question sheet, each table could take their time answering questions based on pantomime. Shock and horror breifly ensued (not only from tables of non-pantomimers, but also from some veteran members such as 'Mother Goose') before some bright sparks spotted that nearly all the answers could be found around them: the last half-a-dozen shows' programmes were on the tables... posters on display... even clues in the questions! This ensured that each table mingled (this was a social event after all) as they shared answers and programmes. No Joker available here though, as nearly everyone got every question right... yes, nearly everyone, but not 'Mother Goose'! This was a table with veterans of Woldingham Panto such as Sarah Greenwood (also appearing in 'Sinbad') and Berry Butler... and were the only table to get the question "how many years has Woldingham had a panto?" wrong, especially as the next question began "The 1st panto was in 1948...". It just goes to show that you don't need to be good at sums to be in the panto!

After the meal everyone settled down to the last 2 rounds. Krysza Szafranski marked the answers and kept the scores, which were to prove critical in these final rounds. As 'Mother Goose' fell further behind, the committee table 'Sleeping Beauty' quietly crept up from the rear to take the lead. But then the TV & Film round appeared with the question "who were the 2 original Blue Peter presenters?" (Christopher Trace and Leila Williams). Not the easiest of questions so Ziggi allowed 1/2 a mark for each name. Then, after a bit of Shakespeare and Harry Potter in the Literature round, Krysza tallied the final totals and Ziggi announced them. It was close. Very close.

'Sleeping Beauty', who had done so well to take the lead at the end, fell at the last... beaten by 1/2 a mark by 'Cinderella'! Oh cruel fate. So 'Cinderella' won the wine amid much cheer, and 'Mother Goose' the lemonade as consolation (they did proudly hold onto bottom place after all), and everyone compared notes. Although the quiz was ended, the drink and conversations flowed long into the evening, and many a good time was had by all! As well as everyone having a great night out, the event even managed to add to our coffers for the show. Congratulations must go to the committee for organising a fun distraction and excellent food, and especially to Ziggi who put together a sometimes excruciating selection of questions and audio-visual display, as well as MCing the entire evening. He'll be missed next year when he's at university.

If you did miss this year's quiz night, never fear... you can still come and watch 'Sinbad' instead (and come to our next fundraiser next year). 'Sinbad' is an excellent show and brings together some old favourites and some new faces. Make sure you're not disappointed and get your tickets now. Details can be found in this magazine, on posters around the village, or at the website which also has info and photos of past productions. We look forward to hearing you cheer and hiss... oh no we don't... oh yes we do!

2007 Review as printed in Village Magazine (February 2007)

Sinbad Rules the Waves!

It’s easy to see how the Woldingham Pantomime will be celebrating 60 successful years in 2007/8… that is if you were one of the hundreds of residents who whooped, cheered and jeered at this year’s production of ‘Sinbad the Sailor’. If you weren’t there, then you missed one of the most enjoyable and professional shows that has entertained our little community!

It’s been a while since the salt air and crashing waves swept over the Village Hall, not since 1976 in fact, and it brought with it a freshness and air of excitement that totally submerged the audience under its spell… as well as ‘under the sea’. The show opened with a captivating UV scene under the sea, in the realm of the Spirit of the Sea, played wonderfully kindly and warmly by Kate Gardner. This magical opening was beautifully performed by some 20 local children all choreographed by newcomer Lisa Richardson and they immediately stole our hearts. Special lighting effects from Andrew Kozminski and his team, and amazing magical costumes from Marian Szafranski helped transform the stage into a wonderful magical kingdom. The audience was immediately enthralled and was soon transported to the land of the Arabian Nights, and to Sillibillibad, Sinbad’s not-so-clever brother.

Returning to this comic role was old favourite Ziggi Szafranski, probably for the last time (for a while at least, as university beckons). Together with his mum Mrs Sinbad, played again to perfection by James Peacock, they kept the audience on its toes (sometimes quite literally) and exhausted through laughter. With pretty, thigh-slapping newcomer Louise Wilkinson in the Principal Boy role of Sinbad, this core group had such a strong rapport with each other that the show couldn’t fail to entertain… that and the profusion of sweeties offered as prizes to the working audience. It was a fast-paced, thrilling, funny and sad piece of traditional pantomime that had audiences coming back for more.

The story was a simple one: Sinbad wants to marry Princess Ruby (played innocently yet petulantly by Stephanie Hornett) but her mother the Calipha of Bagdad, sternly played by Rebecca Mills, will only marry her to a rich man. Unfortunately, Sinbad was tricked into losing everything he, his brother and his mother own to the evil corsair Cassim. Returning to the role of villain was another favourite Tony Dent, and his evil presence was played brilliantly and worked off our unlucky trio so well. At times, he even had an old soul like me worried for Sinbad’s well being.

Leaving behind his love, and her sister Fatima - the love of Sillibillibad (charmingly played by Krysia Szafranski), and given only a month to prove his wealth, Sinbad and family embark on a series of adventures, constantly hampered by Cassim and his evil pirates. Luckily for them they had the Spirit of the Sea and the audience on their side. Everything you’d want to see in a panto was there for young and old, from the fear and excitement, to the gags and slapstick… especially when naughty Mickey the Monkey appeared (played very funnily and energetically by Abbey Martin) to cause trouble for poor Sillibillibad.

The perils and jokes were thick and fast, and the costumes were stunning, especially the Dame’s assortment of dresses and hats - in particular the grass-skirt and coconut-shell ensemble which had to be seen to be believed. I understand that there were about 300 costumes made by Marian and her helpers, and they helped maintain the illusions and gags throughout the show, and were particularly effective for the children who populated and danced throughout the show as villagers and pirates, native folk and ‘hoodies’, and who were particularly menacing as the Diamond Queen’s diamond minions, which in itself was a sparklingly wicked performance from Sarah Greenwood.

As well as the excellent performing and choreography, stunning costumes and lighting, the show also boasted fantastic sets and stunts. The Valley of the Diamonds was particularly impressive with its sheer rock faces and scattering of diamonds, adding great menace and threat to Sinbad from Sarah as the Diamond Queen. Ingenious too were the palm trees and flying Roc, not to mention the elephant and tree-felling gags. I kid you not, all these were masterfully played and totally convincing (in that pantomime kind of way), especially poor Cassim’s final demise, to be swallowed whole on stage by a sea monster! An impressive athletic feat from Tony. Particularly exciting were the flights of Sinbad, not only was he cleverly flown away in a balloon, but to see him take off like a rocket hanging from the Roc’s feet was quite spectacular… praise indeed for Simon Aggiss and his crew.

All in all this was a panto that everyone involved should be proud of, from helpers to backstage, from production team to performers. Lastly, but not least, the quality of the performance was as good as any ‘professional’ show I’ve seen, and thanks for this must also go to the director Barbara O’Neill, choreographer Lisa Richardson and musician extraordinaire Helen Brymer who together helped bring out such wonderful performances. I look forward to next year’s anniversary production. Happy birthday Woldingham Pantomime, let’s hope you continue to entertain us for another 60 years.