... The Wonderful Palace of Nod CHAT'S PALACE THE FASHION to create a new Christmas show within the traditional panto framework but using a polygamy of stories rather than just one takes a new turn with The Wonderful Palace of Nod. Free Form, based on the East London community arts centre of Chat's raiaceiwnicn was xormeriy a puDiic library), is an artistic combine which includes experts in ...

... DOWRY WITH TWO WHITE DOVES DEMOLITION and disbandment threats not withstanding, Theatro Technis have embarked on an ambitious repertoire programme which includes favourite productions from recent seasons as well as new plays. Dowry With Two White Doves was originally written by Nick McCarty as a radio play; it is a social tragedy stemming from the Turkish take-over of northern Cyprus al ...

... 'THE GINGERBREAD MAN' AT THE OLD VIC Anne Morley-Priestman reviews IF David Wood seems to be cornering this year's market in original musical plays for children, it is. on the strength of the Cambridge Theatre Company production at the Old Vic of The Gingerbread Man. a well deserved monopoly. Quality counts in this area of theatre siuiy even mure man eisewnere and it's a prime baking. The ...

... The Coming of the Twilight Circus OVAL HOUSE OVAL HOUSE'S Christmas offering is an in-house affair and a gorgeous bit of chilling hokum. The Coming of the Twilight Circus is another exercise in proving that anything Hammer and Amicus could do. fringe theatre can do (if not better), just as well--or as nastily. The Coming of the Twilight Circus is derivative in many ways but it has been ...

... Charley's Aunt YOUNG VIC Opened December 22 CHARLEY'S AUNT is the most endurable of farces and works well even in the Young Vic's open staging, with the audience aisles providing extra entrances and exits. icuu> ort-rn is ims years Lora Fancourt Babberley; tall, a reluctant Aunt. but once stuck with the part, finding much to relish in the impersonation. This outrageous and highly ...

... PETER PAN AND EMILY C. P. TAYLOR matches the middle class gentility of the Peter Pan story with the cheerful working class iconoclasm of Newcastle in a festive season entertainment entitled Peter Pan and Emily. Not Wendy you understand but a different person and a differing personality named Emily, a Geordie lass. The production at the Traverse Theatre Club, Edinburgh by the Live Theatre ...

... PIONEERS MICHAEL Wilcox's Pioneers, which had its world premiere at Dovecot Arts Theatre, Stockton recently poses many technical problems for the director with its cast of 23 and flashback scenes in sound to the pioneer days of Canada. The first night performance went very well and the authenticity of the Canadian scenes was something to marvel at. As Michael Wilcox comes from Essex and ...

... Toad of Toad Hall CAMBRIDGE Opened December 19 MR TOAD, like Peter Pan. goes on year after year, and this Christmas the Wind in the Willows team can be seen in Toad of Toad Hall at the Cambridge. Ian Talbot again plays Toad, his green makeup even more elaborate this year and his tongue darting in and out of his mouth like a well-oiled piston. Irrepressible, he leads the animal foursome and ...

... Change of name THE NATIONAL Youth Theatre is to change its name this year to the National Youth Theatre of Great Britain. Wales and Scotland have recently set up National Youth Theatres of their own, membership being restricted to their respective regions, whereas Michael. Croft's company is open to young people from all parts of Great Britain. The change of title has been made in order to ...

... Cinderella--the Truth! COVENT GARDEN COMMUNITY THEATRE CHRISTMAS with Covent Garden Community Theatre is never quite what it seems. Cinderella--the Truth! has the familiar story and a bit more besides with the satirical target the popular newspaper industry and the whole public relations function. Joe Lang has perhaps not quite sorted his proportions as cleverly as in previous shows I was ...

... Peter Pan CASINO Opened December 22 THIS YEAR, Peter Pan is at the Casino, a smaller theatre than previously used for the souped-up version we have been offered for several Christmasses . It is now much closer to the spirit of the J. M. Barrie play, with the dances on a less spectacular scale, and therefore less of a tiresome in trusion into the action. The pan tomime element remains in ...

... AUDITIONS HOW DOES the theatre work? Actors and audience alike often ask. For some reason, most people give the wrong answer; perhaps a fear of losing the mystery and magique of a profession which bred itself from religious ritual has something to do with that. It is not an syauci iii£, |ay uui ivtai r\ miigiii auu Rob Quirk in Auditions begin an explanation which is as valid as any. It ...