St Mary’s Church Hall, Hampden Park, hosted a very special talent show when the Spotlight Players presented their annual Spring event.
Audiences had score sheets to mark the participating acts. This proved to be no easy task, as the players set about their many and varied roles with enthusiasm and obvious enjoyment. Barry Parks, in addition to skills with props and scenery, proved himself to be a hilarious drag artist, not least in Duke of the Dance, with Sam Christie, in the duo Stavros Flatley. Barry was also one of the Tiller Girls, where both “gals” and “guys” high-kicked their way to rapturous applause. Di Lace, resplendent in fluorescent pink leotard, swapped her usual Panto Baddie role to be a Fitness Instructor in Fattitude, while veteran Spotlight member, Bonnie Beck held her own in the group of stand-up comics, doing the perennial “Dr” jokes. Trisha Parks and Rosemary Brain made delightful comperes, the latter bringing the house down in her persona of Susan Boyle. Tap-dancers Hazel Gausden and director Natasha Gardener did some fancy footwork. Hazel also did her incomparable Frank Spencer act, but this time as a member of Tony Blair’s Cabinet. Ben Russell, looking uncannily like Conchita Wurst, won the talent show with his song, Let It Go. Hail Holy Queen from Sister Act came a close second. An added bonus at the show’s end was a solo sung by Jackie Bignell. Wendy Hammond’s skills as musical director compounded a most enjoyable evening’s entertainment, all proceeds going to the local charity, The JPK Project.
The Spotlight Players welcome new members. They meet every Thursday evening at St Mary’s Church Hall, Decoy Drive, Hampden Park and all proceeds from their performances go to various local charities. As well as their performances at St Mary’s Church Hall, Spotlight also take their Spring Show and Xmas Pantomime to the residents at four Retirement Homes. By Mary Barlow.