Recipe for a Thespian Pie – The Other Theatre Company
Everyone was willkommen, bienvenue, welcome to Plumley Village Hall on three bitterly cold evenings in late November when The Other Theatre Company served up A Thespian Pie. And, what a tasty dish this was.
Lashings of numbers from the musicals, served with a sprinkling of dialogue and a good dollop of fun, the evening had all the ingredients for success. Whetting the audience’s appetite, the dancers provided a truly tasty starter. The sizzling hot appetiser took us to the Kit Kat Club in 1930s Berlin where 14 fishnet clad legs, fruitily choreographed by Sophia Kennedy, kicked their way through some well known numbers from Cabaret.
What use is sitting alone in your room, when you can come hear the music play on your doorstep; the audience was soon tapping its feet and all that jazz as other numbers flowed from Chicago and A Chorus Line. This pie was a riot of colour: the cast dressed in red, black and gold, razzle dazzled the audience with their polished performances. The entertainment was certainly not just one singular sensation and Sweet Charity’s Hey Big Spender was very spicy indeed.
Tasty side dishes of dialogue – both funny and poignant – were beautifully prepared by Harry Kennedy, John White, Roger Barlow, Glen Godson and Caitlin Sherwood.
The talented duo of Arthur Taylor and Rod Chadwick took us back in time with the songs of Flanders and Swan. This was a treat for everyone to savour, particularly when there was a chance to wallow in Mud, Glorious Mud.
Sarah Sherwood showed her variety – in both solo spots and alongside the cast – with the bittersweet Cry me a River and As Long as he Needs Me being particularly stirring.
A Thespian Pie was described in the programme as an opportunity for the cast to let their hair down and it was obvious that all were relishing the occasion. Watching and listening from the back of the hall, the audience were also enjoying the chance to indulge. Adding that final soupçon to the pie, the closing number took us all down the boozer in Jack the Ripper’s Whitechapel for the finest mustard pickle! All was sweetened with the food of love – music from the accomplished Ian Sherwood and Tony Howard.
Thanks to all those behind the scenes who helped give this Thespian Pie its distinctive flavour. We look forward very much to another helping from The Other Theatre Company.
For more information about this production, please see our Past Productions page for A Thespian Pie.