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2015 - Whistle Down the Wind

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Synopsis

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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

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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.

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, 
"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
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