New paintings and regular art updates.
In the past I used to do 8 ft square boards of scenery for the Mystery plays, and I could paint rapidly. Now it’s taken me all my time just to do this and a few bits and bobs. I don’t have the strength in my arms so this was mainly painted with a small brush and instead of using a full sized board I have one that has an extra couple of bits stuck on. It has a hole because the back of it was already painted as a cave. It’s due to be a witches cottage I still try to be me.
Crashed UFO at the play I went to yesterday. It wasn’t actually on the stage but in a seperate room on the way in.
In a strange way it reminded me of a Santa’s sledge I saw once outside Santa’s grotto as a child. You then got into another sled inside a large screened of area and the landscape on the sides seemed to move. It was actually a painted backdrop on rollers that ran round so the landscape seemed to scroll past. At the end of your “journey” you got off to see Santa and get your present…. Oops rambling there
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I could imagine doing the same thing with the UFO so it would look like it was flying through the sky with stars and clouds.
The Penkhull panto was on tonight (and Friday and Saturday) and I really enjoyed it. It was strange being in the audience, but I got a chance to see the whole thing. It was written by the director who is also one of the cast. Jennifer Whittaker-Vyse.
They didn’t use my Scottish panel in the travelling scene (where Robin heads to Scotland to rescue Maid Marian, when she had been sent there by the evil Sheriff). But they did use the ones I painted a few years ago, including the houses of Parliament, the London Eye, the Eiffel Tower, the Pyramids, Sidney Opera House, and The Statue of Liberty. So basically the cast pretend to walk as the boards are carried being them. I think it didn’t quite fit the theme? Oh well. I got a thank you in the programme.
Overall it was a good show, silly and fun, with modern and ancient action. The pixies seemed to be rapping? As in all productions there were a few tiny fluffed lines that turned out to be hilarious! The lock Ness monster showed up too and people enjoyed singing along with the songs.
The best thing is there is no sponsor, so no advertisements shoe-horned into the production. There were cheers of ‘it’s behind you’ and ‘oh yes it is, oh no its not!’. If you don’t know pantomime check it out on Google or Wikipedia. Loved it!
The stage is set. It’s been a few weeks since we started rehearsals but hopefully in February we’ll be putting on a performance of Beauty and the Beast. I don’t have a part, I’m just going to be in the chorus. I am struggling with doing dances, I don’t feel physically up to it. But I’m hoping to help with the scenery, although I’m hoping it won’t be as difficult as it was two years ago when I was a lot healthier.
The panto (pantomime), is a jokey, comedic play where an adventure happens but its funny and mostly for children. There are really ‘punny’ jokes, custard pies in the face, slapstick, kids telling silly jokes and basically mad cap fun. I’m looking forward to a great time next year.
Shattered. Thought there was another Zoom meeting … But ended up miming to a virtual panto song. We are holding a virtual pantomime in a couple of weeks. Songs and sketches.. (our village hall usually holds a live one in February), so we are doing a ‘locked down in panto land pantomime!!
Mallaband-Brown