Wednesday, December 30, 2009
A Christmas Carol by Strange Face
It was a real Christmas treat to see the Strange Face production at Newdigate Village Hall yesterday evening.
Bill took a few photos, without flash from our seats.
This one is from the Strange Face web site.
And this is Bill too.
I loved trying on the masks.
I think this one was worn by the ghost of Christmas Present
There were also puppets to play with - I couldn't allow the ugly crone to upstage me!
There was a small group of us from Pilgrims Antiques at the show.
And this is Monika. 
Monika and puppet.
Monika again in a mask.
Brenda wanted to protect Tiny Tim!
Here is Jenny in a mask.
Jenny and Mike were also very interested in the music. 
Mark pops into Pilgrims quite often. His family are from Dorking - and three of them are Strange Faces.
In the back ground is Mark's wife and baby - Willow. Willow has been to the shop quite often too in her short life.
Masks - take your pick!
Two friendly puppets on the table.
Pig puppet.
This is Russell, who was Scrooge with the Tiny Tim puppet.
A brilliant sort of pantomime really.
It is a small company with Arts Council funding who tour the country during the winter months with their show.
There are 4 actors and a musician - and many masks and puppets to play all the characters of the tale.
This year it was A Christmas Carol.
There are also back stage people who deal with the costumes and masks.
It all runs very smoothly and the set is gently adapted as scene flows from one episode to another.
The hall was very small. The set only just fitting between the side walls.
The hall was very small. The set only just fitting between the side walls.
There is no stage.
The tickets had all sold out, so it was a happy audience who sat back to enjoy the show.
Bill took a few photos, without flash from our seats.
Here is Scrooge - maybe screeching "Humbug" at the time!
It was difficult without flash to get a sharp image - this is some of the Cratchett family.
This one is from the Strange Face web site.
There was an interval half way through.
Included in our ticket price was food and drink.
There was beautiful mulled wine and mince pies.
Normally just tea, coffee and squash is on offer - but this show had been specially arranged for many family and friends and was the first one after Christmas.
It was like a party.
I had two cups of mulled wine - I decided that satsumas soaked in mulled wine was the very best way to eat them!
Afterwards one of the cast commented that intervals don't usually last as long!
The show came to an end, but it wasn't the end of the evening.
The actors appeared without their masks and the masks and puppets appeared for us all to investigate.
Somehow, as soon as the mask is on, people begin to act and become somebody else.
This, of course, is Bill.
And this is Bill too.
I loved trying on the masks.
I think this one was worn by the ghost of Christmas Present
There were also puppets to play with - I couldn't allow the ugly crone to upstage me!
There was a small group of us from Pilgrims Antiques at the show.
This is Brenda.
And this is Monika.
Monika and puppet.
Monika again in a mask.
Brenda wanted to protect Tiny Tim!
Also present were Jenny and Mike from my family.
Here is Jenny in a mask.
Jenny and Mike were also very interested in the music.
Mark the musician had spent a while creating the instrument that Mike is playing.
He wanted something that would make the sound of eerie and scary ghosts.
Mark called it a gongatron.
Mark pops into Pilgrims quite often. His family are from Dorking - and three of them are Strange Faces.
In the back ground is Mark's wife and baby - Willow. Willow has been to the shop quite often too in her short life.
Masks - take your pick!
Two friendly puppets on the table.
Pig puppet.
This is Russell, who was Scrooge with the Tiny Tim puppet.
Now we can look forward to next year when the show will be The Rakes Progress, I think.
I love occasions which are so friendly and unique.
