Ali Baba performance by the Buckley Amateur Pantomime Company"

Tivoli, Brunswick Road, Buckley

1955

Report for Saturday March 5th 1955.

THE BEST of a LONG LINE of SUCCESSES?

Lavish Buckley production of Ali Baba

(By a Chronicle Staff Reporter)

If they are honest with themselves, Pressman who attend first nights sometimes have to write critiques not always favourable to the companies they watch. And producers and players themselves often dread the first show. The degree is all a matter of nerves. That is why some producers prefer the critics to hold back a bit.

Last year I attended the opening performance of the noted Buckley pantomime and it had to be said then that it was a little ragged. But the criticism was made in a friendly spirit and in the knowledge that the stage was occupied by amateurs, not professionals.

On Wednesday night, for the third year in succession, I was at the opening of another Buckley pantomime - but how different was the reaction on this occasion

compared with twelve months ago!

The show got away immediately to a rhythmical start and having surmounted the early obstacle of stage fright without mishap, it swept along smoothly, becoming better every minute.

It was indeed a first night of which those concerned could feel proud and Mr. Dennis Griffiths need have no qualms for the rest of the three weeks' run. If every seat has not been booked for the remaining performances it soon will be.

Spicy

Has the Buckley Pantomime Company ever put on a better show in its 23 year history than this season's lavish production of Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves?

I doubt it very much. The twenty-first performance two years ago was a special one, but Ali Baba is better than that. Buckley's 1955 pantomime is the spiciest piece of stage entertainment we have had in these parts for a long time.

It rocked with hilarity - Dick Catherall leading the comedy team has never been in better form. I dazzled with the brilliance of the costuming and that is not exaggerating. How those West End show dresses glittered in that spectacular finale!

It sparkled with its gay music and popular songs. The chorus work throughout was excellent [the audience just loved those very junior juniors]. And the orchestra performed nobly.

Peggy Downey's ambition to become a principal boy was achieved in this show and she made a most attractive son of Ali. In the lead opposite her, Peggy Griffith brought to the stage a sparkling personality as Loyola, daughter of the Caliph of Baghdad. Much depended on these two leading characters and they rise to the occasion splendidly. Dick Catherall gets better as he gets older and in his favourite pantomime role of the dame - in this case as Cogia, wife of Ali Baba - he was at his funniest. If this born comedian had made the stage his career he might well have been in the top flight long ago. He kept the show bubbling over with mirth, especially when he took over the baton from Dennis Griffiths to conduct his own orchestra on the stage.

Singing Cobbler

To the rest of the cast - Reuben Dolby (as the Caliph), Billy Williams (Ali Baba), Harry Dolby (Ali's brother), Jeanne Lloyd-Williams (Morgiana), a maid, Alfred Bell (Abdullah), captain of the thieves, Arthur Powell (Mustapha the singing cobbler), and Kingsley Burton and Peter Hoyle (Neddy, Ali's donkey) - great credit is due.

There were also those very-popular guest singers, Winnie Spencer and Peter Davies. As usual, they delighted their audience. Angela Hopwood's solo song and dance was also much enjoyed.

The book, production and musical direction were once again by Mr. Dennis Griffiths, who is to be congratulated on what is probably his greatest pantomime triumph in a quarter of a century.

Personalia

Officials: Chairman, Mr. R.L. Hopwood, vice -chairman Mr. F. Dugdale,

Hon. Secretary, Miss C. A. Messham, publicity manager, Mr. T. Wilcock.

Chorus; Senior chorus, Betty Davies, Betty Royce, Doris Rowlands, Merle Price, Delma Price, Janet Davies, Emmie Ratcliffe, Joan Grindley, June Brooks, Renee Newing; Intermediate chorus; Judith Fry, Esme Williams, Angela Hopwood, Diana Spencer, Rosemary Lamb, Pat Jenkins, Barbara Connah, Margaret Evans, Pamela Carroll, Linda Catherall; Junior chorus, Jennifer Robinson, Beth Davies, Muriel Catherall, Sylvia Williams, Jacqueline Ellis, Susan Griffith, Marian Catherall, Vilma Shone. Speciality item by Angela Hopwood.

Caliph's attendants: Glenys Hughes, Katie Davies, Margaret Bell, Ruth Croker, Sylvia Lloyd, Ann Humphreys, Doris Ellis, Nora Peters, Myra Hayes;

Sequence direction, Mrs. P. Wilcock; dances arranged and taught by Mrs. Peggy Griffiths, and Mrs. Peter Wilcock; wardrobe mistresses Mrs. R.L. Hopwood, Mrs. F. Dugdale, and Miss C. A. Messham; stage manager, Mr. F. Dugdale, assisted by Messrs. Trevor Davies, Ken Hopwood and Derek Williams.

Stage carpentry, Messrs R.D. Davies and Sons property manager, Mr. Vernon Hughes; chief steward, Mr. Latham Catherall; stage lighting control, Mr. T. Drury; properties, Messrs Vernon Hughes, J. H. Kelly and C. Jones;

programmes, Mrs. D. Jones.

Orchestra: Violins. P. Jenkinson, J. Huglow, R. Hughes, G. Rich:; viola: E. Abbusson; 'cello: E. Cropper; double bass, N.T.Cropper; flute and saxophone, M. Gerrard; French horn, D. Cropper; trumpet, R. McMahon; organ G. Davies; piano. T. Hopwood; timpani and drums, J. Ellis.

Author: Chester Chronicle

Ali Baba performance by the Buckley Amateur Pantomime Company"

Tivoli, Brunswick Road, Buckley

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