posted 24th July 2025
Let’s All Go To The Music Hall! A rousing introduction The Entire Company
Soiree Musicale in a Victorian Parlour The most delicate of sentiments, the most musical of moments featuring Miss Maggie Bourgein and Mr David Batty, accompanied by the Topsham Spa Orchestra
The Caretaker Recitative Dramatique! Miss Christine Eilbeck The Welsh Wizardrene
The Green Eye of the Little Yellow God The danger, the glamour, the menace… the smells of the orient! Maj. Christopher Williams (cashiered), late of Her Majesty’s Punjabi Catering Corps
My Morning Promenade - Gentlemen, Beware! Miss Avril Pattinson, Silver Tones from Silverton
Sand Dance The exotic orient again, but without the danger, the glamour or the menace…..just the smells. Wilson Keppel and Betty
Three Ha'pence a Foot Marine Perils and the Disgraceful Price of Timber Mr William Pattinson, Have Gavel, Will Travel
The Two Gendarmes Her Majesty’s Realms are safe in their hands! Mr David Batty and Mr Howard Eilbeck
My Little Bottom Drawer Miss Avril Pattinson
The Drunkard’s Dilemma, or Her Honour for Ten Pence A cautionary tale, in which avarice, drunkenness and concupiscence are soundly defeated by the forces of morality and clean living The Estuary Barnstormers, starring Miss Anny Kilbourne, Mr Howard Eilbeck, Mr David Batty and Mr Alan Caig
Interval, including Best Dressed competition
With Her Head Tucked Underneath Her Arm Persons of a nervous disposition are cautioned that this item contains descriptions of regal beheading. Anyone affected by the issues should telegraph our regicide hotline for advice and support Mr David Batty, Topsham's Top Tonsils
Tying the Knot The course of true love never did run smooth! Miss Avril Pattinson, Miss Rosemary Whitehurst, Maj Christopher Williams
A Knight at the Theatre These islands' foremost Shakespearian Tragedian regales you with tales of Greasepaint, Footlights and the Immortal Bard Sir Kenton McDawlish
Love Is the Reason From a time when romance ruled Miss Maggie Bourgein, the Darling of the Halls
Max Miller Special Guest Appearance by Mr Bill Pertwee
Bull & Bush and Finale The Entire Company
Review
Who amongst us can fail to be uplifted by our memories of the Music Hall? As this production demonstrates, enough of its cultural lineage and traditions have survived to the present day to create an evening of unalloyed joy and entertainment, calling to mind those stars of Victorian and Edwardian times such as George Robey, Vesta Tilley, Dan Leno, Marie Lloyd, Issy Bonn and the immortal and glorious Wilson Keppel & Betty.
Against this proud history, the Director Mr Alan Caig has forged with great verve and insight a straightforward production that does not descend into parody or pastiche nor mocks the gentle irony of The Good Old Days. In so doing he has connected that glorious past with our more uncertain present. Above all he has provided an evening of great fun. The audience - seated at candlelit tables and decked out in the splendour of period finery - were very much part of this show. We were not just passive observers being entertained by a group of minstrels and strolling players, even if on the first night there was not quite the critical mass of people in the audience needed to 'bounce back' against the actors, despite the occasional feedback if not heckle. With a full house, one can predict a more tumultuous atmosphere as well as throatier renditions of all the old favourites.
Miss Christine Eilbeck ('The Welsh Wizardrene') recited The Caretaker to which Mr Pinter's effort held a candle, whilst Major Christopher Williams ('H.M Punjabi Catering Corps - retired') told us a true and moving story about a Green Eye of a Little Yellow God, in a Temple near Khatmandu. Songs flowed with wit and seductive charm from Miss Avril Pattinson and with gentle warmth and feeling from Miss Rosemary Whitehurst, whilst Mr Howard Keppel-Eilbeck and Miss Amy Kilbourne turned melodrama into such melancholy and sadness with a Cautionary Tale that the gavel host was obliged to adjourn for the interval, in order to allow refreshment to be taken by all, including Mr Batty who in the next turn had to present to us all a regal beheading and its aftermath, in With her Head Tucked Underneath Her Arm.
We were agog for the Memories of Max Millerng and his Life in the Theatre, though we feared the Cheeky Chappie might be, from the peerless Mr Bill Pertwee, who spared not our blushes and who appeared in a Dressing Gown of sorts that almost beggared belief, even though redeemed in full by the familiar hat & patter. Magic!
Underpinning the musical background that is vital to the whole Show and which was met with universal acclaim, we were favoured at the Pianoforte by a local master of the staves and ivories, Professor Ian Dodds, whose bravura style and stamina came straight out of the Exwick Conservatoire rubric. Class always speaks for itself!
To conclude the evening, the company and audience retired with sound and happy fury to The Old Bull & Bush before the Actors were seen sneaking away to Topsham's equivalent, namely, The Globe, which had so generously sponsored this production. And as the mist from the estuary appeared to enfold the gas-lit streets a thought came to mind - that, in the present days of global fame and international celebrity, this enriching production by The Estuary Players seemed far more the genuine article - what entertainment was and maybe should be, perhaps indeed the Real Thing?
