Abergavenny Pantomime Company has a long and proud history, going back to the beginning of this century. It started off in Holy Trinity Church, Baker Street in Abergavenny and the Company was called 'Trinity Sunday Schools', it changed in 1959 into Abergavenny Pantomime Company and it has virtually not stopped running since. With only a short gap in performances during the Second World War, resuming again with Aladdin in 1947. Our very first production, in 1932 was Cinderella and most of the cast were prominent figures in the town, and early stalwarts of the Company. Since then the Company have performed Cinderella eight different times, making it one of the most popular shows alongside Aladdin which also been performed eight times since 1932.
In the 1890’s a group of people in the Holy Trinity Parish performed Operas at the Abergavenny Borough Theatre, produced by Mrs Duffield and Mrs Pavord. In 1921 ‘Trinity Sunday Schools’ performed the show ‘The King of Sherwood. At the beginning of the 1930’s the Curate, Fr. Montague Holmes had apparently seen a production of the pantomime, 'Little red Riding Hood' and thought ‘Trinity Sunday Schools’ should do something more like that. This resulted in traditional amateur pantomime being staged in Abergavenny for the first time ever. It was produced by Mr Frank Lewis, his wife, Mrs Gwen Lewis assisting him and his nephew Mr Raymond Lewis, from the Abergavnny Chronicle, writing the scripts. Practice sessions were held in the Holy Trinity Church Hall in Abergavenny.
With a short break during the Second World War the Company resumed performing annual traditional pantomimes.
For our 50th anniversary show in 1982 the Company performed Mother Hubbard, which was the first time APC had performed it. Unfortunately the 50th anniversary show was postponed a couple of weeks due to very heavy snow. Bob Symons led the Company well into its Half Century existence. It was also apparent that during this period a couple of distinguished members left and had formed a new breakaway Company known as the Capricorns (named after one of the Signs of the Zodiac, as they performed Pantomime’s in December). This caused upheaval at the time, as there were now three Pantomime Company’s in the town of Abergavenny, all trying to survive. (APC, Pen Y Fal Hospital Pantomime Company and the Capricorns) In fact not long after both Pen Y Fal Hospital Pantomime Company and the Capricorns folded. This resulted in a number of new members joining APC such as Peter Holder from ‘Pen Y Fal’ Pantomime Company and Neil Harvey from the ‘Capricorns’. Newcomers Shirley Wallace arrived as Choreographer and also Alan Chislett who wrote a number of his own sketches, who had grown up surrounded by the world of entertainment and understood the importance of the actor-writer relationship. During the late eighties Bob Symons bowed out as producer and was replaced by Tony Brinkworth.
The Company had a go at performing two shows a year, with its traditional Pantomime during February half term and a Summer Show in July. One of the main aims of staging a summer show was to give experience to the younger cast members and chorus, to ensure that their enthusiasm did not wane before rehearsals for the next major Pantomime. During the eighties Tony Brinkworth and Bob Symons shared the roles as Producers, with Shirley Wallace undertaking the role of Choreography.
In 1990 Abergavenny was celebrating its 900th birthday, our Production was Mother Goose. We recruited a new Choreographer; Julie Gasson and the whole show was Produced by Alan Chislett. The Curtains opened outside the cottage of Mother Goose which was played by our usual dame Neil Harvey.
For our 60th season a milestone in the history of the Company, in 1993 we staged a pantomime classic ‘The Sleeping Beauty’. During our Diamond Jubilee the Company recruited lots of new faces. Nick Leek our Musical Director also undertook his new position asChairman.
In 1996 Lynee Stock, Shirley Wallace and Bob Woodford Co-Produced Jack and the Beanstalk. The Company welcomed some new comers such as Ken Jones and Stephen (Snowy) Clark from AAODS, proving themselves to be talented and skill full performers. The script was also written by Paul Alexander from Jasper Publishing and most of the scenery and the set was designed and made by Peter Sutton and Bob Woodford. The Company shared volunteers from AAODS and ALOC to help back stage with props. It proved to be a wise decision, as older members returned and new members joined, despite the fact that disaster struck during a rehearsal a couple of days before the show. The main electric curtain rail came down with the entire front of house curtains on to cast and chorus who were practicing on stage. The remainder of the rehearsal had to be cancelled and the curtain rail could not be repaired in time for the show, although the show did carry on as normal.
Cinderella was the Pantomime for 1997, Lynne stock decided to leave the Company and we welcomed a new Director Jaci Brickley-Clark. Bob Woodford undertook the role of Production Manager. The Production Team decided that Members should audition for parts. As in the past, parts were given out only on previous talent. An extra performance was put on Saturday evening for the first time which turned out to be a success. On a sad note, however, our Production Manager and Dame Bob Woodford died later that year after a short illness. Jaci went on to Direct Aladdin in 1998 and the show was dedicated to the late Bob Woodford. Peter Holder played his favorite role ‘Abanazer’, his villainous tendencies came in handy especially as being Company Treasurer. APC also decided to affiliate to the National Operatic and Dramatic Association (NODA) at the end of that year.
‘The Pied Piper’ was the next challenge for our Company in 1999, with Jaci Brickley-Clark taking a year out as Director. Her husband Stephen (Snowy) Clark took over as Producer as well a playing his usual role as the Village Idiot on stage. Snowy deserved credit for another successful show. Snowy, in fact, went on to produce the next six years. The Pied Piper was played by the familiar face of Len Lane. All the costumes were hired for the first time which made less work for the Wardrobe Department. The show had even more reason to be remembered, with fifteen minutes to go in the final act during a Tuesday night performance the fire alarms went off. Cast, chorus, theatre staff and audience alike were evacuated into "Red Square" with the Fire Brigade turning up. Ten minutes later everyone went back inside and the Company resumed with the show.
In 2002 we decided to produce Robinson Crusoe. For the first time in while the script was written by its Production Team and was orchestrated by Janette Disson. Also at its AGM in May saw Nick Leek step down as Chairman and our Company dame Ken Jones took over to keep the Committee of the oldest Pantomime Company in Wales in order.
In 2004 once again the theme of flying continued, although not out of the window but on a magic carpet to the Orient. Therefore Aladdin was our next challenge in 2004 and provided most of the older members with parts. Shirley Wallace decided to resign due to her increase workload in her new job and her other wok commitments. Geraint Webb took over as Company Secretary whilst Jaci decided to undertake the role of chorography as well as her usual role as M.D. The Company managed to retain most of its regular cast but as ever there had been a turnover of some of our younger members. It was also Stephen (Snowy) Clark’s last year as Producer with newly appointed Assistant Producer Len Lane who would take over the reigns for next year.
Jack and the Beanstalk was our 75th Anniversary show performed during half-term in February 2007. Written by panto stalwart Stephen Clark and produced by Len Lane with musical direction by Jaci Brickley-Clark. With not a spare seat in the house, the audience was thrilled with just over two hours of fun, music and laughter. Jack, played by Aimee Mogford and his less than bright brother Simple Simon played by Stephen Clark made their way up the magic beanstalk to seek fame and fortune. However, a nasty surprise awaited them in 'Cloudland!' It was a traditional panto filled with plenty of 'fee fie foe FUN!'
The most magical fairytale of them all, Sleeping Beauty was brought to life from page to stage in 2008. led by the same production team once again, who decided to bring the panto right up to date by filming 'The Quest' (a scene filmed in Abergavenny Town Centre where several cast were driving at high speed on a motorbike). This was later screened on stage during the performance. Nicola Cantel returned from university and played her usual role as principal boy, while Emma Williams played the title role as Princess Aurora. From the stylish opening, powerful musical numbers and excellent choreography, sellout audiences were given a night to remember.
This was the first time the Company had ever performed Hansel & Gretel in its 77 year history. Despite the credit crunch APC managed to keep ticket prices the same as in previous years. Stephen Clark who has a wealth of experience in all aspects of theatre returned as Producer and played the part of Tommy. While his double act Ken Jones played the familiar part as Dame Totty. Despite the show not being completely sold out, the production received excellent reviews, thanks to the talent cast and chorus. As ever audience participation was again popular as the pantomime featured its very own 'Abergavenny’s Got Talent'.
Treasure Island was performed in 2010 for the first time ever in the Company’s long history. This production was perfect for a cold and snowy February in Abergavenny, where the Borough Theatre transformed into a tropical island in the sun. The show was slightly different to the original by Robert Louis Stevenson but contained many of the characters including Long John Silver, who was played by Len Lane with great stamina for one leg walking. Heaving chests, a secret map, beards and a seafaring yarn made up this traditional pantomime for all the family.
Half Term in February saw the stage of the Borough Theatre sparkle with the production of Puss in Boots. Staring Mollie Brickley-Clark as the delightful Puss. Also heading the cast as Dame Dumpling was the always popular Ken Jones, whose ever increasing eccentricities bring a new dimension to the role year after year. Supporting him as Big Mac and Little Slack were company newcomer Colin Lewis and comedy stalwart Stephen Clark, who also directed the production with his customary gusto. The large and energetic chorus grabbed everyone’s attention, under the guidance of musical director & choreographer Jaci Brickley-Clark, delighting with their every appearance, with I’m a Believer, Pack Up, Michael Jackson’s Thriller and the rafter-raising finale helped make this a truly memorable evening. This was traditional pantomime, purr-fect for all the family!
With Abergavenny Pantomime Company celebrating its landmark 80th anniversary it was only fitting that it made it a memorable one by performing Peter Pan. For the second time in the Company’s long history, cast and chorus members took to the air to fly high above the Borough Theatre’s stage with the assistance from ‘Flying by Foy’ who provided the flying effects. Just like in 2003, when APC last staged Peter Pan, the Production Team led by Stephen Clark and his wife Jaci Brickley-Clark deserved credit once again for ones of its best ever shows. Colourful, lively and packed with great music and fun Peter Pan had the audience gripped from its dramatic piratical opening to its 60s style finale. With APC investing much energy and money into the flying scenes, ticket prices were increased by a fraction. However with the tremendous reviews from sell out audiences and from the local press the end result was well worth it... ...something which Abergavenny audiences have known for the past 80 years.
In 2013 we were flying again on a magic carpet to the orient in Aladdin. Our Producer and writer Stephen (Snowy) Clark has again put his own interpretation on an old favourite. Set in old China several hundred years ago (probably before many of the cast were born) it was colourful and traditional.
In half term 2014 it was Rumpelstiltskin, a show that the Company has not performed before. A tale by the Brothers Grimm, which is a little bit grim, a little darker than we normally perform. We managed to retain more or less the same ensemble as in previous years with perhaps some new performers in the animal skins (don’t worry no animals were hurt in this production) - you have to be fairly young and fit to perform in these.
In 2015 it was everybody’s favourite Cinderella, a Pantomime we last performed ten years previously. The script for the show was written by ace reporter and editor of The Abergavenny Chronicle, Liz Davies. Then, as this time around, the ugly sisters were played by the same duo but after ten years they are even uglier, however their frocks are prettier and Botox helps.
In 2016 we performed Sinbad the Sailor, which we last performed in 1992.
In 2017 we again performed Snow White, for the second time in our 85 year history. Last put on in millennium year (2000 in case you forgot) it still retains some of the cast, the ‘older’ ones, but there has been a major turnaround of junior members. Every year we lose quite a number to university or who go on to do exciting things and we have to start all over again, but I think you will all agree that this corner of the world is never short of talent.