SCAMPS Pantomime- Chichester Observer- Friday 15th January 1965

Selsey's "Aladdin" provided top entertainment. All the wonder and magic of pantomime was brought to Selsey last week by the Selsey Comedy and Musical Productions Society's presentation of "Aladdin" with its lovely dresses, attractive sets, and gay music. This is the S.C.A.M.P.S.' 16th show, and there can be little doubt that its quality of presentation, which included some excellent work by the backstage staff, almost reached professional standard. All the 70 dresses worn in the show were the work of Phyllis May, who started designing and making them as far back as last spring. Princess Lov-Lee's beautiful peach coloured gown worn in the palace scene took her a week to embroider in sequins. An outstanding feature of the show was the musical background with Kay Standing and Jacvk Tupper at two pianos, organist Sidney Browning providing some unusual sound effects and Alan Humphries, who is a member of the Stane Street Jazz Group, playing the percussion instruments. Gerry Warboys, whose pleasant voice has already earned for him several appearances on television, was an excellent choice for the role of Aladdin, and both his solo pop numbers and his duets with Princess Lov-Lee, beautifully played by Beryl Lindsay, were warmly applauded. No pantomime is complete without its Dame, and the part of Widow Twankey was taken by the producer, Barry Lindsay, who has a natural aptitude for burlesque, with a wicked roll of the eyes to give point to his lines. His amusing Wash Song, specially written for him by Rodney Hesse, was well received. John Coe, who has considerable ability as a straight actor, made a suitably villainous Abanazer, with his evil plans for Aladdin brought to nothing by the good offices of the Sprite of Pantomime, acted by Yvonne Lindsay, and the pretty Fairy of the Ring, Sally Browning. Jim Ireland, well made up as the Slave of the Lamp, brought gasps from various parts of the auditorium with his sudden appearances and exits. The popularity of the Selsey Comedy and Musical Productions Society's pantomime "Aladdin" resulted in a headache for the Society's booking clerks. Thinking they would be able to obtain tickets without too much difficulty, many local pantomime enthusiasts chose to "chance their luck" in preference to booking. Their luck was out. During the last two days more than 200 people were turned away. Commented Mrs Phyllis May, chairman of the SCAMPS, "It was with great regret that we had to do this. At earlier performances there were a number of empty seats. If only the public would book early to avoid disappointments". During its week's run at Selsey's Pavilion Cinema "Aladdin" attracted 1,200 people- a two per cent increase on last Christmas's production of "Sleeping Beauty". The SCAMPS will give a performance to an audience of patients and staff at Graylingwell Hospital tomorrow.