The Buzz from the Biz - Farringdon Village News 2012

A 'CraCKER' FOR CHRISTMAS - Part Two - Updated December 28th 2012

Pictures from the two night run of the Fabulous Farringdon Follies Company "Christmas Cracker" Cabaret held in the Village Hall on the 7th and 8th of December.

Thanks to Sylvia Goodall and Simon Applegarth for all the images on the "Christmas Cracker" pages

Obviously the Company had realised the folly of their ways (feel free to groan at that appalling pun) and the second half opened with a professional compere, none other than Mr Peter Barber who brought on the opening act featuring Abdul, Ahmed and Betty performing the traditional Farringdon 'Sand Dance'

This trio comprising the delightful Kathy Barber, the nimble Robin Baumber,
( taking a brief break from the sound desk behind the scenes ) and some idiot from beyond the village borders, who produced an interesting performance, especially on the Friday night, when, due to a glitch in the backing track the trio wandered aimlessly about the stage desperately trying to guess where the track had restarted. This caused much consternation to the performers and a great deal of amusement to the audience.

Those of you who were there, will understand why the words of Mr Godfree's second song will not be reprinted here, not that there is anything distasteful about the activities of a "Picker Up" .
However, a considerable proportion of the audience completely misinterpreted the lyrics of this country tale of a simple yeoman handling male pheasants. which lead to raucous laughter and unseemly hilarity in the hall.
( For those not familiar with the term, a "Picker Up" refers to one who picks up shot birds behind the guns at a pheasant or game shoot )

The unusual and original explanation of the Facts of Life offered by 'Father' Elizabeth Burton to 'Son' Marianne Prynne may have caused considerable confusion among some of the audience.

From the series of expressions on the 'Son's' face, it would appear that the audience were not the only ones who were being led astray. However, after that advice I suspect a number of people will no longer sit comfortably on a warm chair!

We won't talk about Dirty Uncle Bertie!

Time for a bit of swing from those two sultry songstresses Susie Palfery-Smith and Juliana Clarke who shimmied onto the stage with their interpretation of 'Sway', much to the delight of the audience.

Time for the male portion of the Follies Company to come to the fore, given the current weather, Bridge Over Troubled Water seemed an appropriate choice for the rather grandly titled, "Farringdon Male Voice Choir" to perform.

Debbie Newton, having recovered from her energetic activities in the first half, returned with a poetry reading. detailing the attributes? of "My Husband"

This saga, detailing the effect on those who came into earshot of his solution to the problems afflicting the world in general, appeared to strike a chord with many wives within the audience.

Tony Causton's skill in the art of ventriloquism was revealed, when he appeared in front of the Curtains with a character resembling an Orangutan, that went by the name of Russell. (I've heard that name before somewhere )

After a short discourse on village politics, solar panels and a chorus of "Bring me Sunshine" Russell went independent and Tony returned with Lynne ( Russell? Lynne? it'll come to me in an hour or two) and shortly after all was revealed when Tony's assistant, Rob Jarman, joined him in front of the curtains to take the applause.

Tony Causton and Rob Jarman

The ladies of the company, the Christmas Crackers, brought us back into festive mood with not only singing, but choreography, (take note chaps)as they got feet tapping with "Jingle Bell Rock" .

And so on to the Finale, with the entire Company performing Let it Snow and the song that has become a fixture at the end of all Follies performances "Thank You For the Music"

Thanks to Sylvia Goodall and Simon Applegarth for all the images on these Pages

[Cabaret part One]