2015 - Whistle Down the Wind
Synopsis |
Whistle Down the Wind revolves around the time and place where the word teenager was invented. Swallow, a 15 year-old-girl growing up in America’s deep South in the fifties, discovers a mysterious man hiding out in a barn. When she asks who he is and the first words he utters are “Jesus Christ”, it’s as if all her prayers have been answered. Swallow and the town’s other children vow to protect the stranger from the world that waits outside – the townspeople who are determined to catch a fugitive hiding it their midst. As fantasy and reality collide, Swallow is torn between the two and begins to discover who she is and where she is going. The emotive score combines hauntingly beautiful love songs and explosive rock music with lyrics by acclaimed rock’n'roll songwriter Jim Steinman. The score contrasts the relentless influence of the modern world with the traditional values of the old days – something which the community at the heart of Whistle Down the Wind yearns to return
Award Success
Following the NODA review, Parry Bates received a NODA award for his portrayal of 'The Man' in this production. Out of the 250 societies that make up the London NODA region and the 17 nominees, Parry was chosen to win the Ken Wirdnam trophy for best male in a musical or operetta for his performance in Whistle Down the Wind.
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Cast List
Boone - Terry Brooks The Man - Parry Bates Swallow - Kate Izzard Brat / Swallow Understudy - Charlotte Penny Poor Baby - Raiko Gohara Amos - Matt Worth Candy - Roushka Westall Snake Preacher - Neil Padgen Edward - Paul Hyde Earl / Preacher / The Man Understudy / Amos Understudy - Shaun Blake Sheriff - George Wilson-Evans Louis / Brat Understudy - Eleanor White Candy Understudy - Laura Fairchild Clarence / Poor Baby Understudy - Alfie Penny Vikki - Honor Patterson Louise - Bella Martin Jackie - Rosie Gregory Lavonne - Jasmin Danbury Winston - Martha Gayer Ramona - Caitlin Gregory Elizabeth - Aggie Heber-Percy Curly - Georgina Price Charity - Maddison Pettifer Townsfolk Karen Ashby, Tessa Brown, Shirley Dancey, Jennifer Hyde, Niall Madden-Blain, Chrissy Marsh, Hoffi Munt, Kjell Nilsson, Paul Sanday, Carole Throup, Sean Uprichard. Children Millie Admans, Daisy Burnett, Molly Burnett, Jasmin Danbury, Jessica Docherty, Martha Gayer, Caitlin Gregory, Rosie Gregory, Madison Hall, Aggie Heber-Percy, Liberty Hopkins, Maddy Lewis, Bella Martin, Honor Patterson, Alfie Penny, Maddison Pettifer, Georgina Price, Isabella Radojcic, Bebe Thatcher, Emilia Thatcher, Eleanor White, Georgina White. Dancers Jasmin Danbury, Laura Fairchild, Niall Madden-Blain, Hoffi Munt, Neil Padgen, Maddison Pettifer, Georgina Price. Orchestra Conductor - Jo Pollitt Flute - George Chaffey Keyboard - Guilia Rowland Guitar - Dave Jurgens Guitar - Dave Yates Bass Guitar - David Small Saxaphones & Clarinet - Simon Coles Percussion - Ian Vallance |
The Production Team
Director - David Clayton Assistant Directors - Hoffi Munt & Roushka Westall Musical Director - Jo Pollitt Choreographer - Roushka Westall Rehearsal Pianist - Guilia Rowland Stage Manager - Steve Gill Set Design - Tony Jones Set Construction - Mark Hopkins, Tony Jones, Paul Sanday Set Painters - Laura Fairchild, Hoffi Munt, Jane Munt, Tessa Brown Lighting Designer - Fiona Clayton Lighting Director - Hugh Leigh Lighting Rig - Tim Price & Paul Sanday Sound Design & Live Sound Engineering - Paul Hyde Technical Music Support (MD Team) Sound Advisor & Sound Equipment - Paul Hyde Sound Operator - Alistair Hunter Wardrobe Mistress - Ros Kitson Costume Team - Abigail Mayer, Natasha Higman, Jennifer Hyde, Pauline Matthews, Jane Munt, Sarah Olney, Louise Patey, Norma Thompson, Carol Throup, & all parents who helped with adjustments to their children's costumes. Continuity - Hoffi Munt Properties Manager - Laura Fairchild Properties Assistant's - Ros Kitson & Sarah Olney Front of House Manager - Jane Munt Children's Licenses - Jane White Registrar - Sarah Olney Children's Organiser - Jane White Press & Publicity - David Clayton, John Miles, Hoffi Munt Fundraisers - Jane Fairchild, Jo Pollitt, Clare Matthews-Hewer Box Office - Kathy Bossom, Tyrell Bossom Children's Chaperones - Abigail Mayer, Ruth Martin, Audra Penny, Sarah Pettifer, Samantha Roscoe, Jane White, Debbie Lewis, Michaela Williams, Luci Gohara, |
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"I have tonight been taken through an emotional journey of the senses whilst being entertained at The Community Of Hungerford Theatre Company's production of Whistle Down the Wind. Excellent performances from all the participants, actors and stage crew contributed to a superb evening.
The young performers were fantastic, (there's much talent there) and the adults reached a new high in performance. Also the orchestra whose contribution was perfect for the production, and all other members of the Company without whom the production could not have succeeded. Thank you. A fabulous evening, well done to you all and thank you for making me very happy." John Miles |
"Just been to see Whistle Down the Wind and highly recommend it! Great performances in this Andrew Lloyd Webber classic."
Penny Post " I saw the show last night and thoroughly enjoyed it. There's certainly a lot of talent in CHTC, and I hope Kate Izzard will pursue her career ambitions - I thought she was rather special. Have a good day" Jeremy "What a great evening we had on Wednesday, I thoroughly enjoyed the performance. What a professional show, the children were all spot on. Musicians great and the number of support adults around the building showed what a strong theatre group you have!" Anne Hancock |
"Excellent performance of Whistle Down the Wind last night by the Community of Hungerford. Thoroughly enjoyed the show, so many talented performers"
Fiona "Absolutely fantastic performance today from the cast of whistle down the wind. Gutted I can't be there this evening for the last show but I know you will all be fab!" Michaela Williams |
