Magic Midnight

Reviews and Cuttings

From the Western Guardian of January 3, 1935

On Boxing Day and again on Friday evening, the pantomime ‘Magic Midnight’ was very much enjoyed by large audiences at South Brent. The words, the music and the plot were the entire production of Mrs G Reynolds, and the cast consisted of South Brent people. Mrs Reynolds, who is well known for her very keen sense of production, and who has composed many and varied songs, is also the author of another play, ‘Piper of dreams’. The scenery, which was the work of Mr E Wilcocks and his son, was the most artistic and well arranged work which has ever been staged at South Brent.

All the dresses, which undoubtedly took many hours of careful and trying work, were made by Mrs Wilcocks and Mrs Reynolds. Mr A Manning assisted Mrs Reynolds with the arrangements. Of the most tuneful and attractive songs and choruses, the songs ‘Come little maid’, ‘From me has fallen a cloud ‘, and the chorus ‘Can’t somebody Laugh?’ received much applause. The outstanding person of the cast was Mr C Manning who played the part of the Chef, and who proved himself a born a comedian. In the third scene he sang a very amusing song in which he persuaded to the Witch (Mrs Reynolds) to change him into the The Court Jester. Miss D Manning was the Savage Queen and played her part with great skill, whilst Mr F Jefford was King Fustus, who, although being forced to leave his Queen because of her temper for seven years, brought about his return with song and planning in a most excellent manner.

Princess Love-in-a-Mist was Miss V Manning and her attendant was Miss P Jefford; both played their part in a most becoming manner. The three Princes were played by Mrs G Wilcox, R Shute and L Hard, who all displayed splendid acting in their great fear of having to marry the Savage Queen. Miss M Cole as Cook was another of the outstanding members of the cast and played up to the Chef with great amusement and skill. Miss J Cole danced a very nicely in the Demon’s Cave scene, and the Demon Sprite, led by an extremely clever little sprite, Master I Woods, were monsters F Manning, J Dee and E Sowden. The Gnomes, who had one of the prettiest songs in the peace, ‘Strike the Anvil’, were Masters K Fox, W Hannaford and L Andrews. The Little Pages, Misses  J Tucker, B Lang, Irene Manning and L Catt were also good.

A very capable orchestra was under the direction of Mr A Manning.

At the Friday evening performance Mr Manning thanked Mrs Reynolds for her great production, which this year took the place of his usual concert in aid of Sunday School Funds, and the Vicar (Rev KG Gallagher) seconded, saying he thought it was simply marvellous the way in which everything had been arranged, and that South Brent ought to be very proud to think that they had with them such a wonderful composer and producer, which Mrs Reynolds, without doubt, had proved herself to be.

The electric lighting arrangements were carried out with great credit, owing to the many obstacles which had to be overcome, by Mr R Shute.