Jerusalem
Can
they do it again?
was the question on the lips of the congregation. 80 people
were so eager that they came early to
enjoy a magnificent pre-show meal prepared without female assistance. (No more
can Adam Bland & Ray Armstrong claim that they need a wife to feed them!)
45 minutes before curtain-up, the devoted aficionados were claiming their seats in the plush auditorium whilst the cast were still putting the final touches to their massively rehearsed preparations. The Producer / Director, Brian Sumner, was calm and in control, but did anyone else know what was happening? Who was in which Act? Some unsung hero hit on the idea of getting a copy of the programme and the mystery was solved— we were actually starting with the opening number!
At 7:30 pm precisely (give or take 5 minutes) the curtains drew back and the entire ensemble appeared to face a crowded Church Hall. The many hours of rehearsal had paid off— Yes, it was immediately obvious that half the cast hadn't managed to learn their lines— the previous standard was being maintained!
Fulwood Follies 2004 kicked off glamorously with Malcolm as a beautiful bride left at the altar— if only she had shaved, there might have been a different outcome. The mysteries of the north-eastern accent were explained by Ted Lowes— unfortunately his Sunderland accent was so broad that no-one could understand what he was talking about— but it is the thought that counts, and we all laughed anyway!
By the interval, Ken Wales sensed the feelings of the audience and gave the farewell speech of thanks, knowing that no-one would stay for the rest of the show. How wrong he was— someone must have heard that there was a special item planned for the start of the second half.
Roy Smith earned the admiration of all when he performed a vigorous Morris Dance on an increasingly unstable stage, only to be completely upstaged as our own Reverend Peter exposed a secret of his past— he too is a Morris Man! [When you couple this with his interest in train-spotting, one must seriously question whether the spiritual welfare of this congregation is in safe hands. Ed.]
It is hard to single out any of the participants for
special praise, but Brian's rendition of The Battle of Hastings
deserves
special mention, as did the Sand Dance, whose scantily dressed performers
reminded us that Wilson, Kepple & Betty were excellent! Various singers
sang (Geoff even remembered the lines of his rustic love song); Gendarmes
squared up
to policemen; Minstrels led community singing; 3 toffs dressed elegantly,
philosophical discussions took place in the Barber's Shop and Ken Wales swept
in
from time to time. (Someone had to clear up all the mess.)
The cast have asked me to apologise on their behalf for inflicting such pain on innocent people, but unfortunately, the lady members of this Church failed to live up to their earlier promise to produce an equivalent show— I guess women can talk the talk, but if you want anything doing it seems you have to ask a man! [That sounds like fighting talk. Ed.]
The men were also privileged to take part in the Sunday services and their contribution as members of the choir for morning worship makes one wonder why so few belong to the regular choir. We were grateful that we could also take the lead in the weekend's worship, because without our commitment to worship there wouldn't be such a thriving congregation at Fulwood. I suppose the message is that it is great to laugh and play together, while remembering why we are here.
© Fulwood Methodist Church
15:16:39 Wednesday, 26 October 2005
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