Not so Grimm Tales

Grimm Tales, presented by Shining Lights Theatre Company on 23rd and 24th April 2006 at New Greenham Arts.
 
Once upon a time, there was a little theatre company that prided itself on its first class productions… That company, Shining Lights, now has another excellent show to add to its accolade. Lead by Director Pete Watt and Company Manager Melanie Watt, these talented young people have done well.

The music of Seth Lakeman added a rustic and folk-tale quality as the lights dimmed and we were presented with a father reading to his young son. As the stories from his book came to life, the audience became ensnared into the world of Grimm. Starting with the lesser-known The Mouse, The Bird and the Sausage, we were then led through the tales of Snow White, The Hare and The Hedgehog, Rumplestiltskin and Hansel and Gretel. Based on the stories collected by brothers Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm during the 18th Century, the talented ensemble evoked a true feeling of quality story-telling.

The cast took on many different roles throughout the evening. Jessica Welch showed great versatility as an actor, as she took on the role of the loathsome and evil Queen - juxtaposed against that of the timid Miller's Daughter. Another great performance came from Lloyd Collicott, who's Hare was wonderfully created. He also showed excellent puppetry skills as a Dwarf and the Duck in Hansel and Gretel.

All the cast portrayed the tales in the dark comic spirit they had been intended, giving the audience plenty of laughs throughout the evening. Grant Lawrence in particular gave the Hedgehog and Hansel his own comedic twist.

Special mention should also go to Callum Watt who, at the tender age of 10, showed great potential working alongside his older peers. Shining Lights never fail to deliver and are certainly in a league of their own.

M.C. Godfrey Thatcham Chronical

The Coming of the Kings. St Mary's Church, Thatcham, on 17th December and Our Lady's Church, Thatcham on 19th December.

How do you recognise a king when you see one? This was the odd dilemma faced by the innkeeper and his wife in Shining Lights' The Coming of the Kings. They are told to expect the arrival of three kings when a fortune-teller visits them and the nativity unfolds in an unusual way.

Originally written by Ted Hughes as a radio play, it gives a light touch and twist to the traditional Christmas story. The talented young cast showed great conviction and focus in their presentation at Our Lady of assumption Church.

Lacking the trappings of a theatre, they performed in a compelling way, showing excellent acting, both in ensemble and individually, with Pete Watts' sure direction adding style and flair and brilliant touches. Opening with an effective, rough street-style rendition of Oh Little Town of Bethlehem, we moved into the story with the greedy innkeepers and their bickering and confusion over their guests, at the core of the action.

The dialogue is written in verse and the actors coped well with this, bringing it to life - the innkeeper and his wife (Daryl Hurst and Jessica Welch) were excellent, and enjoyed their comedy moments. Chantelle Davision showed great presence as the fortune-teller and Aine McGarvey, Katie Hartley-Kane and Ellis Carveth as the priest, businessman, police inspector and finally, the three kings, brought much to their duel roles. Their slow and serene entrance as the kings was very moving, as was Harley Ilott and Beth Richards' final, excruciatingly-slow arrival as Joseph and Mary.

The staging was simple but effective in the lovely setting of the church. Effective props and good use of space put us in the mist of the action, with entrances and exits up and down the aisles. Modern and period costumes worked surprisingly well together and for me it was a super piece of theatre.

A delightful start to the Christmas season, to remind us all, whatever our beliefs, what it's really all about.

Trevor Dobson Newbury Weekly News 3rd Jan 2008