Today the junior members of Bilton Amateur Dramatic Society performed their summer production to family and friends at the Bilton Theatre. For some members, it was the first time they had performed for the society. After several rehearsals where one or two cast members were missing, the actual performances could not have been better. Not one child needed a prompt, they all delivered their lines with clear voices and with feeling. The first play, “The Dentist” by David Walker, had a cast of 9 children, 8 of which played various teeth within the human mouth. One child played the part of the Dentist who came to see them all on “D Day”. Singing, sound effects and group speaking were all integral elements to this play and it was a faultless performance, as the dentist prodded, poked and drilled the teeth one by one until she eventually decided to get rid of the Eye Tooth and the Wisdom Teeth which totally floored them! I directed this play and found it extremely rewarding.
The second play was called “Sally and Jack’s Death Day Party”, also by David Walker. Set in limbo, where several workers help to staff the place and prepare everything for any newcomers, it told the tale of two young people who had arrived by mistake for a Death Day Party. The Queen of Limbo eventually decided to let the children go back to being alive again after the party, which pleased everyone. Once more, this was a very accomplished performance by them all and it was worth all the hard work beforehand to hear the reaction from all the people who’d come along to support them. The costumes and make-up were well done thanks to Nikki Grannon who directed that particular play, with assistance from Amy Fletcher, Amber Burton and Laura Jones (3 members of the Youth section at BADS). Another youth section member, Lauren Trim, operated the Sound & Lighting. A great way to end the summer term!
