Theatrical Productions Alan Payne August 2023
It is difficult to categorise eras until after they have ended. But the post-war years in Box have been largely peaceful, affluent and residents have wanted to enjoy festive events and general merrymaking. The range of activities in Box is enormous and it would be impossible to belong to every club or to attend every event. These are just a few of the activities that deserve a mention and we are happy to include others if you can provide details of what might have been missed.
Becket Martyrdom Plays Started October 1970
A pageant on The Life and Martyrdom of St Thomas à Becket in 1970 was the inspiration of Stuart Hills of Shepherd’s Close, Ditteridge. Stuart was a churchwarden at Box and devised the event to celebrate the 800th anniversary of Becket’s canonisation in 1173. He described what the event meant to the people of Box as This is our story. The first production was a basically a series of tableaux by 50 residents in costume with Stuart reading a narration written by a university academic.[1] The next two events in 1980 and 1990 were written by Stuart himself who also produced them (with help from Jill Banks in 1990) and explained the action as narrator monk. He told the story of events whist villagers enacted partly in mime and partly spoken word. The village responded marvellously to the invitation to dress up and act, many people taking a role in village communal life for the first time. The pageant started with most of the action on the steps of the chancel but it was with the drama of the entrance by the knights at the west door that it caused people to jump off their seats.
A pageant on The Life and Martyrdom of St Thomas à Becket in 1970 was the inspiration of Stuart Hills of Shepherd’s Close, Ditteridge. Stuart was a churchwarden at Box and devised the event to celebrate the 800th anniversary of Becket’s canonisation in 1173. He described what the event meant to the people of Box as This is our story. The first production was a basically a series of tableaux by 50 residents in costume with Stuart reading a narration written by a university academic.[1] The next two events in 1980 and 1990 were written by Stuart himself who also produced them (with help from Jill Banks in 1990) and explained the action as narrator monk. He told the story of events whist villagers enacted partly in mime and partly spoken word. The village responded marvellously to the invitation to dress up and act, many people taking a role in village communal life for the first time. The pageant started with most of the action on the steps of the chancel but it was with the drama of the entrance by the knights at the west door that it caused people to jump off their seats.
It was a very difficult event to stage because the church had to be made available for normal services and offstage wings were non-existent. Nonetheless, when Jane Cox took over as producer in 2000, with a new play by Eileen Mackinlay and David Dean taking the role of narrator and fifty-four named singers and actors. In full medieval dress, there were numerous rehearsals lasting over many weeks. In 2010 Jane wrote another new play, this time with film and action.[2] The film introduction showed Cluniac monks from Monkton Farleigh Priory walking through fields around Box before actors entered the church singing plainsong. It was a fascinating amalgam of new and old dress, film and action and an attempt to put the events into historic context.
Above: Young peasant women, Penny Newboult and Shirley Goulstone (all photos courtesy Carol Payne)
Below: Doing menial work and penance, Left: Mervyn Tyte and Right: Margaret Currant
Below: Doing menial work and penance, Left: Mervyn Tyte and Right: Margaret Currant
There was a spin-off event with The Mysteries at Box in 2005. The medieval guilds held local festivals to celebrate biblical stories in English rather than Church Latin, including depictions of The Annunciation and Joseph’s Trouble with Mary.[3] Jane Cox reimagined the plays as a modern rock opera, part set in the Old Testament, part in the New Testament and all in Box Church. John Emmett and vicar Richard Snow played the parts of the Blues Brothers.[4]
Box Pantomime
The pantomime started in 1980 (as a spin-off from two Women’s Institute productions) and has run every year since then.
Its success has been due to a few dedicated contributors, including Lisa Whitemore, Geoff Holstead, Jill Banks. Alan West, Steve and Veronica Wheeler and a host of supporting stars.
The pantomime started in 1980 (as a spin-off from two Women’s Institute productions) and has run every year since then.
Its success has been due to a few dedicated contributors, including Lisa Whitemore, Geoff Holstead, Jill Banks. Alan West, Steve and Veronica Wheeler and a host of supporting stars.
To give an idea of the well-known local residents who have contributed, these are excerpts from a review of the 1982 for the performance of Aladdin, produced by Sonia Blandford:[5]
Catherine Knight gave a powerful performance as Aladdin with Celia Hopkins teaming up well as the charming and attractive Princess Yasmin. Steve Wheeler appeared to relish the role of the baddie wizard Abanazar while Jill Banks and Gill Culley supported his evil requests as the Slaves of the Lamp and Ring. Law and Order was in the capable hands of police officers Sally Wells and Stephanie Wood. David Leader and Ann Narraway were the Emperor and Empress of China. Widow Twankey (Alan West) and Wishee Washee (Neil West) took major roles in keeping the ausience amused. No show can function properly without musical accompaniment and a five-piece orchestra with Sue West at the piano played superbly. |
Lisa Whitemore has been called Queen of the Pantomime with good reason.[6] She appeared in most of the productions, starting as a dancer, staring in the role of Dandini in 1987, and directing most of the plays in the 2000s. She has danced, sang, did the choreography, worked on costumes, did the casting and directed the shows since then. As well as enabling young people to showcase their acting skills, the pantomime has also shown some village residents at their very worst!! Jill Banks’ duet with Stephanie Wood in You’re the one that I want was just as unforgettable as the frequent appearance of Jill’s bloomers in the shows. It is unfathomable why she was accepted on the Chippenham Police Consultancy Group in the 1990s!! [7]
The drop-down list (right) gives Pantomimes year-by-year
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Box Revels Events
For nearly 40 years, the Box Revels has been a regular occasion for family gatherings on The Rec. There have been numerous organisers and committees but special mention goes to local resident Mike Curd and his willing crew. In the 1980s the organisers of Box Revels used the popularity of the name to promote several other events. It had started from the outset with a themed banquet on Saturday nights; tea and village walk on Sundays; and children’s fun run, village fair and teenage disco on Mondays.
A new venture in 1985 was an invitation to the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School to put on a show in the village on Sunday evening. This was risky as the cost of their attendance was considerable and had to be recouped from ticket sales. Small scale starts were made with products by BOV Company Three and in 1988 the first full BOV production was of John Gay’s The Beggar’s Opera.
For nearly 40 years, the Box Revels has been a regular occasion for family gatherings on The Rec. There have been numerous organisers and committees but special mention goes to local resident Mike Curd and his willing crew. In the 1980s the organisers of Box Revels used the popularity of the name to promote several other events. It had started from the outset with a themed banquet on Saturday nights; tea and village walk on Sundays; and children’s fun run, village fair and teenage disco on Mondays.
A new venture in 1985 was an invitation to the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School to put on a show in the village on Sunday evening. This was risky as the cost of their attendance was considerable and had to be recouped from ticket sales. Small scale starts were made with products by BOV Company Three and in 1988 the first full BOV production was of John Gay’s The Beggar’s Opera.
The dropdown list (right) gives Revels themes year-by-year
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The Revels events were massive successes and they launched a series of professional theatre shows in the village. There were moments of real drama, however, such as
The Canterbury Tales in 1991 when one of the students in the cast was rushed to hospital in the morning of the show and the director had to step in playing the role of The Pardoner. The Theatre School were marvellous in supporting the village. To raise funds for the Becket Window Appeal in September 1990, the Bristol Old Vic Players (director John Hartoch and some students) put on a promenade performance of readings and music from The Canterbury Tales around the gardens of The Wilderness. Bristol Old Vic Theatre School Productions 1985 God’s Wonderful Railway by BOV 1987 Julius Caesar by BOV Company Three 1988 The Beggar's Opera 1988 Tanzi by BOV Company Three at Rudloe Social Club 1989 Twelfth Night 1989 Unity by BOV Company Three presented by Public Parts Theatre Company 1990 The Recruiting Officer 1991 The Canterbury Tales 1992 May The Three Musketeers in Selwyn Hall 1992 December The Nativity in Box Church 1993 A Midsummer Night's Dream 1994 The Jungle Book |
The cost of productions increased greatly. A single performance of Tanzi required a small set (just a wresting ring) and limited cast (a couple of wrestlers and a few front of house). The cost was just £230 and the show could allow Rudloe children in for free or greatly discounted prices in 1988. By the 1990s, however, inflation and more lavish productions had caused the cost to rise to over £800 and beyond the reach of Box village.
Other Theatre Productions The success of the Bristol Old Vic shows encouraged smaller theatre companies to extend their tours to Box. There were three main companies: Avon Touring, Dr Fosters and a joint venture with The Theatre in the Downs. Productions started with the Avon Touring Company in 1987 and Dr Foster's Travelling Theatre a year later. After 1991, a local Wiltshire theatre company came to Box on a regular basis. With their director, Dot Mcree, and local folk musician Tim Laycock, their first production in Box was Antarctica in October 1991, to which residents from Kingsmoor House were invited. 1987 Half Hearts & Quarter Measures, Avon Touring Co 1987 The Taming of the Shrew, Avon Touring Company 1988 On the Plastic, Avon Touring Company at Manor Farm, Wadswick 1988 The Secret Agent, Dr Foster’s Travelling Theatre 1988 Trapped in Time, Avon Touring Company at Rudloe Social Club 1989 Take it Away, Dr Foster’s Travelling Theatre 1991 Antarctica, Theatre in the Downs 1992 Country Dancing, Theatre in the Downs 1994 Hodge, Theatre in the Downs 1996 Rudloe Village Green, Theatre in the Downs 1997 Tall Tales, Theatre in the Downs |
Village Christmases
Some of the most enjoyable events were the village Christmas gatherings with music and readings held in the years after 1988 and produced by the Box Revels team. Residents gathered in the Selwyn Hall to enjoy mulled wine, minced pies and pre-Christmas festivities, in order to raise money for charitable causes.
Some of the most enjoyable events were the village Christmas gatherings with music and readings held in the years after 1988 and produced by the Box Revels team. Residents gathered in the Selwyn Hall to enjoy mulled wine, minced pies and pre-Christmas festivities, in order to raise money for charitable causes.
The readings covered a variety of subjects, well-known Christmas poems and stories and obscure, local information, such as a 1907 poem by local 11-year-old girl, Gertrude Eyles about an outing to the seaside (included in the 1990 Children’s Christmas event):
The 2nd of July being a nice fine day The Temperance children, so jolly and gay, Went off down to Weston to spend the day As happy as children making the hay. |
The donkey rides we did enjoy so, Try as we would we couldn’t get them to go Till a man came running behind with a stick Then off they went with a backward kick. Later, as arranged, we met at the pier, For the time of departure was drawing near, Our teachers had to be all alive To get us to the station at 7.25. |
In the early years, the readers were John Hartoch, director, and his students from The Bristol Old Vic Theatre School. It was a privilege to have someone as renowned as John Hartoch to lead the event.
The music and singing was usually by the Box Singers. The group had been launched as a choir by Sue West in 1977 under the title Box Singing Group and later took the name Box Singers. The group put on concerts in Lacock Abbey and annually at Christmas in Box Church.[8] There were several different conductors and various pianists over the years, Hilary Bryant, Peter French, Gary Cook and Tudor Jones come to mind. The event had blips and nearly ended in 2004.[9] Funds were raised for many national and international causes. In 1995 the plight of the Bosnian refugees fleeing war in the Balkans touched people’s hearts. The evening comprised Life at War and in Peace with Box schoolchildren singing the Christmas Calypso accompanied by Rev John Flory on the accordion. It raised a wonderful £540 (today worth £1,200) from a family audience of 165 seated in the Selwyn Hall including adults and childen. |
The drop-down list right gives themed Village Christmases
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Millennium Celebrations
The night of 31 December 1999 was obviously central to the celebrations to witness the opening of the third millennium. Because there was no building large enough to accommodate numbers, a huge marquee with heating and lighting was set up on The Rec for 600 people to enjoy the music and entertainment.[10] David West chaired a Box Millennium sub-committee and the line-up for the evening included local band The Electric Lobsters, Andy West from Nashville and DJ Keith Pask from County Stores, Market Place. Vicar John Flory made an address before going outside for a massive firework display.[11] The idea of planting trees to celebrate the year 2000 was intended to beautify areas of the village and make them more accessible to the public. On land donated by George Lacy of Grove Farm, Box Hill, 650 trees and shrubs were planted next to the Box Tunnel entrance. Much of the work was undertaken by students of Lackham College and individual trees were sponsored by parishioners and local organisations.[12] The suggestion for the wood was proposed by Steve Culley and developed by Box Parish Councillor Steve Wheeler.[13] Already, the area can be really appreciated as a maturing wood copse, offering a natural respite from everyday issues and was a most valuable resource in Covid-19 lockdown times.
In the corner of the wood is a stone memorial to the quarrymen of Box. It was conceived, designed and constructed by Carol Payne of the Old Jockey to depict the legend of St Aldhelm throwing down his glove to indicate the great treasure (building stone) underground. Ex-quarryman Frank Elms, author and expert David Pollard of Hardy House and parish council chairman Derek Lovell unveiled the monument on New Year’s morning 2001.[14]
The night of 31 December 1999 was obviously central to the celebrations to witness the opening of the third millennium. Because there was no building large enough to accommodate numbers, a huge marquee with heating and lighting was set up on The Rec for 600 people to enjoy the music and entertainment.[10] David West chaired a Box Millennium sub-committee and the line-up for the evening included local band The Electric Lobsters, Andy West from Nashville and DJ Keith Pask from County Stores, Market Place. Vicar John Flory made an address before going outside for a massive firework display.[11] The idea of planting trees to celebrate the year 2000 was intended to beautify areas of the village and make them more accessible to the public. On land donated by George Lacy of Grove Farm, Box Hill, 650 trees and shrubs were planted next to the Box Tunnel entrance. Much of the work was undertaken by students of Lackham College and individual trees were sponsored by parishioners and local organisations.[12] The suggestion for the wood was proposed by Steve Culley and developed by Box Parish Councillor Steve Wheeler.[13] Already, the area can be really appreciated as a maturing wood copse, offering a natural respite from everyday issues and was a most valuable resource in Covid-19 lockdown times.
In the corner of the wood is a stone memorial to the quarrymen of Box. It was conceived, designed and constructed by Carol Payne of the Old Jockey to depict the legend of St Aldhelm throwing down his glove to indicate the great treasure (building stone) underground. Ex-quarryman Frank Elms, author and expert David Pollard of Hardy House and parish council chairman Derek Lovell unveiled the monument on New Year’s morning 2001.[14]
There have been many other plays, pageants and festivities in Box. In separate articles, we have discussed the start of
Box Revels and the Box Hill Community Play, 1992 (which came a very creditable third in a Village Ventures competition winning a prize of £125). The number of events, the hard work of the organisers and the community spirit of residents are aspects of village life that are integral to Box.
You are welcome to suggest other events and people who have been missed by this article.
Box Revels and the Box Hill Community Play, 1992 (which came a very creditable third in a Village Ventures competition winning a prize of £125). The number of events, the hard work of the organisers and the community spirit of residents are aspects of village life that are integral to Box.
You are welcome to suggest other events and people who have been missed by this article.
References
[1] Parish Magazine, January 1996 and September 2009
[2] Parish Magazine, December 2010
[3] Parish Magazine, October 2005
[4] Parish Magazine, November 2005
[5] Bath and West Evening Chronicle, 28 January 1982
[6] Parish Magazine, April 2010
[7] Parish Magazine, March 1995
[8] Parish Magazine, June 2004
[9] Parish Magazine, March 2000
[10] Parish Magazine, November 1999
[11] Parish Magazine, December 1999
[12] Chippenham News, 7 December 1998
[13] Parish Magazine, January 1998
[14] Parish Magazine, February 2001
[1] Parish Magazine, January 1996 and September 2009
[2] Parish Magazine, December 2010
[3] Parish Magazine, October 2005
[4] Parish Magazine, November 2005
[5] Bath and West Evening Chronicle, 28 January 1982
[6] Parish Magazine, April 2010
[7] Parish Magazine, March 1995
[8] Parish Magazine, June 2004
[9] Parish Magazine, March 2000
[10] Parish Magazine, November 1999
[11] Parish Magazine, December 1999
[12] Chippenham News, 7 December 1998
[13] Parish Magazine, January 1998
[14] Parish Magazine, February 2001