"Camelot: The Panto" by Ben Crocker (6-9 Dec 2017)

Poster

My fourth St Michael’s Players’ panto direction follows “Puss in Boots”, “Ali Baba and the 40 Thieves” and “Beauty and the Beast” and they don’t get any easier, let me tell you. The main reason for this is that we keep raising the bar and this year is no different, with much more physical comedy than before. However, scripts, music, sets and props are only part of the story and it’s the people that make the difference.
 
And for that reason I must pay my most heartfelt thanks to the most wonderful, amazing cast, crew and band who have all, bar none, worked their socks off for this show and not just at rehearsals, but by helping each other with their lines, characters, props, scenery, singing, choreography and costumes.  This personal love, commitment and devotion is what makes our panto so special and keeps us all coming back for more.
 
And now that we’re all together, we hope you’ll cheer us on our way and enjoy our show. And so, once more to quote Delia; “Let’s be havin’ you!”
​

What They Said

"Chiswickia! I was transported to this marvelous land on opening night and my life is better for it. Hilarious, full of intrigue, packed with fascinating characters, amazing special effects – Camelot has it all. If you are only going to see one panto this year – I recommend Camelot. If you are in the mood for two – see Camelot again." Ben P
"What a super show! An evening of panto gags, cheesy lines delivered with enthusiasm and sing-along-songs! We laughed out loud!
Well done all the cast and production team!" Marcia M
"Fabulous opening knight!! ... ; )"
Andrew R
“Another fab show! Lovely to have a new story but with all the traditional panto fun. The costumes were stunning, the songs were brilliant and it was obvious that everyone was having the time of their lives. I especially loved the chain-mail :) Break a leg and be bold and brave for the rest of the run!” Helen D
​“Thanks Rose for treating us ...it was a good laugh just what was needed”  Anon
“Well done all. I am sure the audiences for next performances will enjoy it as much as we did ...(our age range was 13, 69 and 76 ) so therefore you've got it right even the scary bits with Morgan La Fay and those gals”  Rose P
"we enjoyed the show very much" Caroline G
"The panto that grows on you. That was terrific - very funny and slick." John G
"Last year I was invited by work friends to see the "Beauty and the Beast" Panto and I loved it so much. This year I went and saw the Camelot and I loved it even more. It’s just a perfect way to go into the Christmas season. Great atmosphere and good laughter. Every scene and performance was so entertaining. Would encourage everyone to go and enjoy it!" Sarunya T
"great fun. well done to you and all the cast." Karen L
"Great fun. Two hours of laughs in Camelot make for a great knight out!
​Peter (age 53 and a half)
Great show, great band and full of laughs. The wicked witch has the most amazing cackle!! Such fun." Clive H
​"What a terrific tradition this has become for us! Thank you for bringing so much joy and laughter, xx" Danni P
"Just a short note to say that the panto last night was a blast – up to your usual standards and more! Great direction, acting, scenery, lighting and seamless management behind the scenes – it even snowed!. Bravo and hope the rest of the run is as good as last night" James H-S
​"You were all absolutely fantastic in the panto last night and made us laugh so much ! I really loved it and I think you are amazingly talented . Thank you for a glittering performance  (literally)........." Lynn  😊 🎄 🎅 xx
"Great fun at Camelot last night. Clearly so many people worked so hard to bring it all together. Cast, crew, band and everyone working so hard on the production you should all be so proud of yourselves 😄😄😄" Gerry W
"Has anybody seen my socks??? I laughed them off on Friday night. Congrats to all - great show" Adrian E
You can't beat a good Panto in local church hall @StMsPlayers #chiswick ..better than #NephJC. probably not understood outside UK" Jeremy L 
"Another stupendous performance by St Michael’s Players! Well done." Paul R
"The ridiculous & splendid #Camelot #StMichaels #Pantomime" and "Another 2 nights of @StMsPlayers @StMichaelElmwd #pantomime. Happy innocent fun. And sweets !" Chiswick High Road (on Twitter)
"@StMsPlayers fab opening night for #Chiswicks #Panto Camelot! Oh yes it was !!" Phill T
"Could you please turn back time so that I can re-live AGAIN AND AGAIN a most wonderful evening where it was all laughter, laughter, laughter ......................... thanks to the amazing troupe, script, and lord only knows how many hundreds of hours you all invested in giving us those amazing hours of laughter. It was glorious...." Brigitte D
"We loved the invisible brother and Laughalot was so well performed. He is a real treasure. Your scenery was good this year though a few trees might have been nice for the woodland scene. It’s a pity your stage is so small but you do well in coping with its size. Well done! I smiled at Sue D trying to look fierce! She has far too sweet a face." Dorothy H
"Once again a huge, uproarious success from Chiswickia. 
The direction, the acting, the bravura of the cast, the charm and gusto of this production were brilliant and we laughed till we cried. The whole point of panto is that the audience is involved and the night we came the audience couldn't have been more enthusiastic. Congratulations on a thoroughly enjoyable production" Robin and Pennie
"We wanted to send an email to say how absolutely marvellous your Christmas panto was. It's the best panto we've ever watched! It was done with such enormous verve and enjoyment. We felt privileged to be there.
Looking forward to your next production in 2018." Peter and Martine O

Final Show

Programme
programme_camelot_2017.pdf
File Size: 182 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Pictures

Cast

Morgan Le Fay (Rosie Copping)
Valerin The Vicious (Chris Mounsey)
Valerin’s Mum (Bryony Wilman)
King Uther (Mervyn Jupe)
Laughalot (Paul Smith)
Prince Arthur (Anny Hooker)
Guinevere (Leonia Chesterfield)
Nell (Elizabeth Ollier)
Connie Clatterbottom (Alastair Dewar)
Teddy (Peter Price)
Merlin (Jane Atkinson)
Marlon (Guy Fairbank)
Young Merlin (Emily Rudd)
Chorus (Sue Darrieulat, Christine Lee, Utku Er, Jo Harry, Cressida Strauss, Zenith Milner)

Band

​Musical Director, Keyboards (Nick Lawrence)
Guitar (Andy Murray)
Bass (Ian Trowbridge)
Drums (Martin Scott, Drew Biksas)

Crew

Director (Chris Hulatt)
Stage Manager (Cecilia Coleshaw)
Costumes (Jane Atkinson, Bryony Wilman)
Choreography (Jane Atkinson, Rosie Copping, Cecilia Coleshaw, Anny Hooker)
Set and Backstage (Malcolm O’Neill)
Lighting and Sound (Darren Mitchell)
Make Up (Teena Heer and the cast)
Front of House (Members & Friends of St Michael's Players)