ENTHUSIASM GALORE

BRAMLEY SUNDAY SCHOOL PANTO

For ten weeks, under the direction of Mrs. L. Dickinson and Mr Percy Armitage, the scholars of the St. Peter's Church Sunday school have worked diligently on the production of this year's pantomime "The Old Woman Who Lived in a Shoe". And the children's enthusiasm, when the show was finally put on for the first time before the general public in the Church Institute on, Friday earned them the wealth of applause with which the audience received their efforts.

Before the show began there was the usual last-minute hustle of '"back-stage activity. Parents and helpers coaxed the children into colourful costumes and make-up was hastily applied to the numerous children who were in the dance teams. The costumes had been specially made by some of the parents. As order was gradually restored in the cardboard and tinsel world of backstage, in front of the curtain was a packed house awaiting the opening performance.

As the curtain rose on a pretty and effective scene of a village green, the children swung into well-drilled action. The programme went with a swing from start to finish, and the minor errors of the youthful entertainers few and far between.

Ian Johnstone headed the comedy team as Mrs. Arris, the traditional pantomime dame, who lived in a shoe with three children, delightfully portrayed by Joan Dickinson (as John, the principal boy), Mary Walls as Janet and Stuart Hetherington as William Henry. Some of the exchanges between the dame and the Squire (Frank Waterfield) provided wonderful pantomime comedy; and the buffoonery of Derek Armitage and AlanBooth, as the inevitable bailiffs was an instant and riotous success with the audience.

Margaret Whittam, as Julie the Principal girl, gave a quality performance in true pantomime tradition and her romance with John developed and the story gradually unfolded she gained confidence and poise.

As Fairy Crystal - Guardian of the Treasure— Joyce Farrar gave a delightful interpretation and John Naylor as a policeman and Jean Cowan as a schoolmistress maintained the high standard set by the strong juvenile cast. Judith Barraclough’s performance as Phillip, a friend of the principal boy, was a worthy supporting role.

There was excellent dancing by three teams of children, ranging in age from 4 to 13 years. In addition there was a clever speciality dance performed by Susan Pocklington and Jennifer Booth who were dressed in Dutch costumes.

The scenery carefully prepared by Messrs. W. A. Walton G. F Dickinson, K. Mason and H. Grant, added much to the delight of this miniature pantomime. Two scenes in particular —a superb Sultan's palace and silver aeroplane flying across the stage filled with white clouds were of excellent quality.

The panto was a success from the, word go — not because the standard was any higher than one has a right to expect of a Sunday school show — but because everybody in the programme was obviously enjoying it.

Those in the dancing teams were:

Villagers: Eileen Coop, June Dixon, Jennifer Holdsworth, Susan Lowe, Janet Poppy, Elizabeth Poppy, Heather Richardson, Caroline Spencer, Jean Stuttard, Susan Tempest, Sheila Thompson, Doreen Tiffany, Trudy Wetherill.

Sunbeams: Jennifer Booth, Fame Drake, June Fawcett, Margaret Gaunt, Celia Hudson, Christine Harrison, Christine Morland, Susan Pocklington, Judith Shakeshaft, Kathleen Thompson, Susan Train, Susan Wells.

Tinies: Judith Clough, Pamela Clough, Jeanne Corney. Linda Fagan. Susan Fagan, Susan Graham, Glynis Henshall, Dorothy Kinnersley, Carol Leeming, Janet Martin, Gillian Mason, Pamela Phillips, Helen Poppy, Trudy? Robinson, Linda Smith, Linda Stuttard, Janet Thackray, June Train.

Accordionist: John Verity

From an article of January 17^th. 1957 in the Pudsey and Stanningley News. Thanks to Ian Johnstone who played the Dame for sending us the newspaper with this article.