The Capel Players - Memories

I have loads of happy memories of The Capel Players but I think my favourite one is from the last cabaret, A Night At The Movies. Three of us were singing Doll On A Music Box from the film Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. By a happy accident at one of the rehearsals, we discovered that one of the singer's daughter, who is seven, could imitate perfectly the movements of Lesley Anne Down in the scene from the film. We couldn't resist having her on stage with us. During rehearsals, she never failed and on the night of the show, the audience were mesmerised by our little doll. You could literally hear a pin drop, it was so hushed! They were spellbound! It was truly a magical moment for me and one I won't ever forget.

Jan W - 18/02/03

My memories include standing behind Jacky when she had her hands behind her back and enjoying a cuddle. The very first panto with Graham Jeff & myself as the 3 ugly sisters with hardly any scenery but really enjoying ourselves and thinking wouldn't it be great to do this every year. In later years feeling sadness at leaving Capel Manor Primary School but happiness because we were getting larger audiences and Capel was too small to cope. Having all of my family involved in the panto's. Forming everlasting relationships with so many Capel Players. But the greatest thrill of all is at the end of a panto to step out onto the stage for the walkdown to be greeted by cheers and applause. Even writing it brings a lump to my throat.But we have had sad moments like when we lost Maureen Day who was one of the first and a lovely person, Mike and David who also were great losses to their families as well as the players. But with the New Capel Players it is fantastic to do so much for other less fortunate people with so few players and to do so many shows each year and each show being better than the last

John B - 19/02/03

I remember us doing one of our shows at Whitewebbs when Jan had to sing "My Guy", anyway we started the song with Jan singing really lovely, unknown to us John came walking out at the front of the stage just wearing pants, round glasses and a terrible pair of false teeth. Nobody knew this was going to happen, and at that time it was very hard trying to continue with the song, and poor Jan as it was her song managed to get through it all without cracking up. I think she did very well to contain herself , well done Jan. The crowd just loved him, although they were as shocked as we were.

Shona D - 19/02/03

I know I am no longer a part of the group, but the group will always be a part of my life. Memories like Emmas red beret leaping up and down in the very first panto video (what great quality that was!), to nearly choking Tom in the very last panto (what do you mean I should have!). There are too many happy times I could mention. Can anyone remember my Mum looking very pretty doing the spear song "Eto Eto" (What was that song all about? -My Dad did have some strange ideas didnt he?). Geoff Wigleys famous adaptation to the Panto song is also a vivid memory.
I think my most embarrasing memory was the velcro working loose on my skirt for the spider in the bath dance.
I think the one particular memory which could have scarred two sweet, innocent girls like Daniella and myself at the tender age of four was seeing my Dad and John dressed up as women prancing about in our old front room where rehersals used to take place.
I am so grateful to the group, enabling me to meet such lovely friends and have so many treasured memories. For most of us that were children growing up with the group we always used to say that we should all swap houses for panto week as our parents were all so snappy with the stresses that the show would bring. Looking back now though it was all worth it.

Cheryl - 20/02/03

What can I say, the best 14 years of my life. Seeing so many normal people turn mad for a panto then, sad to say, staying mad,for ever. It got in your blood, we reached heights only Jacky could have dreamed of in a drunken stuper. Making so many brilliant friends and seeing the young ones grow into such stars. Proudest moments were all the pantomimes, seeing so many add so much and the way the technical crew turned 3 school halls into real Theatres.

Graham - 28/02/03

Being a regular audience member, my most vivid memory is of the Nativity Play in your Christmas show. All the adults playing children and the youngest playing the teacher. Hilarious! So many funny bits but here's some of my favourites.... The best line - instead of "I bring Frankinsense" it was "Frank sent this!" 'Mary' giving birth to the baby with a BANG! John as the Little Donkey eey-oreing all the way through, and when there was "no room at the inn", he eey-ored "Oh bugger"! Instead of the gentle lullaby 'We Will Rock You', they launched full pelt into the Queen version!
Also in that show, I remember an elderly lady who was sitting in front of me and singing along, thorougly enjoying herself, to everyone of the carols that the group sang. Nice.
I must complain, however, about the exclusion of my favourite song (Daydream Believer by the Monkees) from your shows, and for which I hold Emma responsible! : )
Keep up the good work. Top marks!

Dave W - 01/03/03

There are so many memories of being in the Capel Players for 7 years that it would be hard to choose a favourite. I remember Cheryl and I choking Tom for real in panto as the ugly Sister (typecast!). Wearing a humungous hamburger on my head in one of our cabarets. Working closely as daughter to the late David in two pantos. Never being able to attend the panto matinee due to work and having a stand in to replace me every year for that one show, poor Cheryl - sorry.
Panto cock-ups, nearly being killed by a pyrotechnic device whilst changing in the magic recycling machine. Working with the very hardworking and talented Graham W and meeting loads of great new people. It was great having that chance to shine for a while.
If there are any old 'Players' out there who remember me, I'd love to hear from you! Email The Capel Players and they will forward your message to me.
Watch this space...I may return one day, if you will have me!

Susan P - 03/03/03

I have loads of fond memories from my years with the Capel Players. I'd done Amdram before, but when I first stepped out on stage playing the dashing young Prince Something-or-other (yes it was quite a few years ago!) I was taken aback with the reaction of the kids (and, indeed, the adults).
There are so many highlights - here are just a few that stick out (if you'll pardon the expression):
1) Tom's tooth falling out into the audience during a particularly dramatic scene (I still mean to send that clip off to Lisa Riley)
2) The "Thriller" dance in Pied Piper.
3) Blowing all the fuses (including the caretakers house) at Capel Manor - we had more lights, amps, effects boxes, microphones and speakers than Live Aid.
4) The Transformation scene in Cinderella and the Mirror in Snow White. Both so simple, but very effective. The technical team never failed to deliver, no matter how ambitious, complicated or just plain daft the idea. Some of the visual effects rivalled the West End stage (unfortunately, the singing and acting didn't often!).
5) Getting a Madness song into a panto (they've even stolen the idea now and made a whole West End show out of it)
6) Timothy Joseph McSharry - a kid who came up on stage during Jack & the Beanstalk 2 and stole the show. He told Tom he needed to go to the dentist and Percy that he was too fat, and got more applause than the show itself.
7) The parties after the Saturday night performance where about 100 people were crammed into someone's front room to watch the video of the show. Getting up for a drink or a wee meant you'd lose your place, so it was best to hang on to the end or do it in a pot plant (sorry Maureen, yes it was me!)
8) Sue W's fly-catching routine in the Musical History tour. Rock n' Roll is here to stay!
9) The thrill when we first made any money for charity. I was up all night, counting and recounting, convinced I'd made a mistake.
10) Just being in the audience and still thoroughly enjoying it.
I could go on for hours (in fact, I think I have done already). Above all I'd like to thank the Capel Players for allowing me to indulge myself by writing scripts and songs, recording music (in Graham's front room), directing pantos and generally making a fool of myself on stage, and
I'm delighted that the group is still going strong, raising cash and raising smiles.
It was a privilege to meet some great people and make so many friends in the Capel Players (I even married one). Sadly, some are no longer with us but never forgotten. There were also one or two peculiar people as well (I even married one), which made things interesting, though libel laws prevent me from giving further details. Hope to see you all again soon.

Peter Lea - 03/03/03

Hello, I'm back again. My first memory was of a particular event, but when I think about it, there's so much more!
I remember....
As a chaperone for a friend's daughter who was in the Panto, I was sitting shyly at the back during the first rehearsal and then Heather came up. "Don't sit there on your own, come and sit with us!" What a warm welcome. Having no intention of being in it but winding up doing it anyway! Going back to the Players in my own right and first performing in a singing show!
Being a Singing Jellyfish in Dick Whittington and hearing the oooohs and gasps when the lights went down, the ultraviolet's went on, and we 'glowed' in our fluorescent costumes! The others dressed in black carrying fluorescent fishes and sea creatures really put us under the sea.
Getting a phone call to say I had won the role as Baroness Hardup in Cinderella. My first ever principal role! (and last as we stopped doing panto's after that. Were they trying to tell me something??)
I thought the Cinderella transformation scene was one of the most brilliant things I've seen! Wonderful techies! I would sneak up to the balcony every night just to see it.
Getting cheered as we did the walkdown but then nearly tripping over my dress!
As Peter said, sitting seven deep in Steve's house watching the video of Cinderella and fighting for seats. Graham asking his wife if he could sit next to his 'other' wife (he was the Baron!) as it was the only seat available, otherwise it was the floor!
Eating fish and chips between the matinee and Saturday performance's, all crammed into a little classroom! Pass the ketchup!
Feeling excited in the wings minutes before the Panto was to start, then feeling sick and wanting the loo!
Sewing costumes on the day of the dress rehearsal!
Going to the school to help set up (or hinder as the case may be!) and clearing up the Sunday after! (groan)
The first Singathon! What a fantastic day, but then they all are!
The elderly couple dancing as we sang a ballad which turned out to be their song. Singing on my own for the first time and seeing my fellow Players staring open mouthed. Was it that bad?
John trying to put me off during one of the cabarets (see Shona's entry). I must have been as red as a beetroot.
The intense emotion we all felt as we did a tribute show for David, especially his song.
Nearly singing a crude line at a live show after mischievously singing it in rehearsal!
Coming on for a song I wasn't in, realising and walking of to people laughing!!!
My delight at the Christmas cabaret going down a storm after fearing, a few months before, that it was all going to end.
Raising money for charity. Past, present and future, that's what makes it all so special. The Players are a big, big part of my life! Thank you!

Jan - 03/03/03

Here are a few memories to start with, I'm sure I might think of some more later.
For quite a few of the early years I used to take in a gallon jar or two of home made wine for a bit of dutch courage. Actually, over the years as the cast grew and more performances were needed, more jars of wine were also needed as it became popular (especially with a certain dance teacher!) Anyway, getting back to the first Panto, I had a couple of glasses during the matinee performance (not recommended) and I nearly fluffed my lines.
The second Panto nearly didn't take place as we never really managed to rehearse the final scene and we even managed to not complete it dress rehearsal night either. We ran out of time at the school and had to leave so Graham said we'd have to cancel the whole thing! We refused to give in so we all went round Graham's place and spent a couple of hours persuading him to carry on. We left his place at least after one in the morning and all our partners were wondering where we were, but it worked and it was a success. Also during one of the performances of that panto, I had a scene with big Jeff and Simon, and Jeff forgot what to say next and it went quiet for a few seconds, then with a prompt, he carried on but it was lines from further along the script. When we got off stage, we looked at the script and found we had missed over a page and a half out!
Another memory was when we first used the smoke machine and not only did the cast 'disappear' and choke, but most of the audience did as well!
The early videos as well were a laugh as the guy who recorded them left the camera rolling during the scene changes and the half time breaks, and left these on the tapes.
One of the funniest things though was during the scene in Dick Whittington where Graham and Tom were breaking into a safe, and Tom was supposed to come down a rope onto the stage. Somehow he got caught up and ended up hanging upside down and amid the laughter, someone from backstage came on with a ladder and had to cut him down, which brought MORE laughter!
But finally for now, who could forget Rita and Linda B as the Pantomime Cow in Jack And The Beanstalk!

Steve - 07/03/03

Who can forget THE SAUSAGE SONG!
"I was riding on the cart with my sausages in my lap....and one fell out......It was a big one!......"
Come on! Who out there can remember all the words? AND the actions!

Sausage fan - 07/03/03