Va Va Vroom! - Scooting Our Way To Carnival Success!

Wow! Another fabulous carnival season done and dusted, and a brilliant array of trophies and certificates, from Best Comic Entry to Best Overall to Most Time and Effort in Construction, across the six carnivals (it would have been seven, but Ventnor Main was sadly rained off!) we entered for our 2019 season.

Our theme was Va Va Vroom - we were all on Vespas, designed and built in-house by our outstanding carnival team, and danced through the streets to 'Stupid Cupid', 'Da Doo Ron-Ron' and 'Sh-Boom'.

Over the summer, we were also delighted to be asked by Steve Robson of Visual Impact if we would make an appearance at the IOW Scooter Rally on 24th August and perform our routines - of course, we said yes!

As always, we'd like to say a huge thank-you to everyone who organises and participates in our carnival entry, and we'd also like to extend an equally huge thank-you to the Island's carnival committees...without them, the events simply wouldn't happen!

The carnivals are a staple of our summer, and we absolutely love performing in them and making people laugh, and we can't wait to do it all again next year.

For now, though, the next stop...?

Our fortieth anniversary pantomime: Sleeping Beauty.

Team Robin Donate to Island Charities

We met as Team Robin for one final time last night, to give away our proceeds from the pantomime - this is why we do what we do...and last night just cemented for all of us how worthwhile every ounce of hard work is that goes into our shows.

We are thrilled to announce that this year we are donating £8,025 split across seven Island charities and good causes, each so very worthy of support.

All from the proceeds of Robin Hood and the Babes in the Wood, we are giving £2,200 to the IW Alzheimer Cafe, £2,000 to the IOW Food Bank, £1,000 to WightSAR, £1,000 to the IOW World Scout Jamboree Team, £1,000 to The COOK Project, £300 to the 1st Ryde Brownies, and £525 to Ben Rothwell.

To every single person who supported our 2019 pantomime, from all of us here at The Wight Strollers...thank-you, from the bottom of our hearts.

This brings our grand total over the last financial year to over £22,000 given away to Island charities from this pantomime and from last summer's Priscilla: Queen of the Desert - The Musical. We could not be more proud, or more grateful to the Island community for continuing to support us so that we can keep doing what we do.

Stay tuned for more news from us as the year progresses...and look out for us this summer at the Island's carnivals once again!

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Robin Hood - Fantastic Feedback!

Wowee! What a run we had at Medina Theatre with our pantomime, Robin Hood and the Babes in the Wood, and the feedback has been tremendous!

We've had three brilliant reviews - from IW Theatre, Sardines Magazine and the Isle of Wight County Press - and plenty of online feedback, not to mention all the wonderful comments from people as they left the theatre to the front-of-house team and some of our characters on the 'Meet and Greet', and even a standing ovation at two of the performances...I think it's safe to say our audiences are happy!

Here's just a little of the feedback we've had over the course of the run:

"West End, eat your heart out!"
- Ken Fowler

"What a fantastic night, we didn't stop laughing!"
- Helen Fowler

Another year, another amazing show - you guys never disappoint. Brilliant."
- Samantha Stean

"My first ever panto as an adult and I'm definitely hooked. Totally amazing evening, fabulous singing, dancing and acting, sets and costumes were fantastic - the whole evening spent grinning, laughing or clapping. The talent and confidence of even the youngest actor - very inspiring. Thank you all so much."
- Andy Thearle

"Yet another amazing performance. My hands are still stinging from the clapping. Lots of new faces this year. The "Merry Men" were brilliant. Hope to see more of them together. My favourite performer this time was Alice Lindsay, absolutely amazing. Her and Sarah would make a fantastic Vicar of Dibley and Alice. Roll on next year. Well done everyone."
- Lynda Waddams

"Absolutely fantastic, well done to you all for such a wonderful show, you should all be very proud of your performance."
- Tony Parker

"It was magnificent- highly recommended!"
- Maureen Sullivan

"Absolutely hilarious...wonderful performance this afternoon - whole family went, very suitable for all ages...this is well worth seeing!!!"
- Janice Frohnsdorff 

"Excellent Show went this afternoon.We all had a Fantastic time."
- Jenny Lewis



Happy audiences, and a happy cast and crew...what more could we have asked for?

Thank-you so much to everyone who has supported our production of Robin Hood and the Babes in the Wood  - we'll be making our charity donations at our AGM in April, so watch this space for the total!

Meet the Director - A Chat With Sarah Scotcher

Directing shows for a company the size of The Wight Strollers is no mean feat, but Sarah Scotcher has been doing it a long time now, so there must be some appeal!

A founder member of The Wight Strollers in its current form, Sarah was a pupil at the Nesta Meech School of Dance, the banner under which our pantomimes were originally performed, from the age of 9 - and the rest, as they say, is history!

The first show Sarah directed for the company was our February 2008 production of Snow White and the Seven Dwarves, but both prior to that and since she has also taken on almost every type of panto role under the sun, from princess to villain, dame to dwarf.

Robin Hood and the Babes in the Wood is the fourteenth show Sarah has directed for the company, and we wanted to find out what it is that she loves about the Strollers, why she enjoys directing, and what keeps her coming back for more...

What's been the most challenging production for you to direct?
Priscilla: Queen of the Desert - The Musical. The scale of the whole production, the number of costume changes, the bus...it's such a massive show, and it's all very fast-paced.

But was it worth the challenges?
Of course!

And what about directing in general? What is it you like about directing shows?
Because it's exciting, when I see it get on stage, to think that I've brought all of it together and managed to put my own slant and ideas on things and make them a reality. You start off with a blank canvas and you can add bits to it.

And on the other side of the coin, what's the toughest thing about being a show director?
My role crosses over into Producer a fair bit, which means I get pulled in all different directions and that can be really tricky. Critiquing your friends is always a tough task, too!

You've been a Stroller for almost fifty years - that's crazy! But you obviously love it, so what is it - in your opinion - that makes The Wight Strollers special?
It's a family-orientated company, it's a very friendly group, and above all it raises money for Island charities. And it's extremely special to me because I've seen it grow from something smaller, much smaller - I remember the days when we performed at Ryde Pavilion and Carisbrooke High School! - into what it is today. It's just grown and grown. More than anything, though, I love what it [the company] stands for - the Strollers, at its heart, isn't a pretentious company, it's just a group of people who like making theatre and having fun, and our charity ethos is very much a driving force behind that. The fact that raising money for charity is our motivation keeps egos at bay, and always has done, because you see what good the money does in the local community. That's the most important thing - it's why we do it.

Being in the company so long has no doubt given you some wonderful memories - what are some of your fondest moments?
There's so many - that's really hard!

We can let you have three, if it helps!
Not much, but I'll try! Going right back, one of them would be getting my first principal role, which was Sleeping Beauty in 1984, when I was 21 - it was my first principal role, it will always be special. And the first time I played a comedy role, too, which was actually Willy in our 1999 production of Robin Hood and the Babes in the Wood, funnily enough.
But a big thing for me was seeing my children on stage and loving The Wight Strollers as much as me - that was, and still is, very special.

Turning back to directing for a moment, what's been your favourite show to direct?
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, because it was just so special. It was our first musical, and the music was fabulous and it was such a feel-good show. But if you asked me which pantomime was my favourite to direct, I would have to say Snow White and the Seven Dwarves in 2008. I don't know why, I think partly because it was the first show I ever directed for the Strollers. I liked Aladdin, too, because it's always a bit different and very colourful, and it's in a different setting to most other pantos and generally has a good mix of everything.

And on stage, what's been your favourite role to play?
Carabosse [the Wicked Fairy in Sleeping Beauty]. I've played the role twice and I enjoyed it both times. She's glamorous, and the way I play it is always sarcastic, which I love...

She does tend to be one of the nastier villains, doesn't she?
She is - she's just bad, she's actually not nice to anyone.

So what was it that made each time you played her so memorable? 
The first time I did it [2004], we did a Bushtucker Trial on stage and I absolutely loved that...in fact, on the last night I ate live worms! And I loved it the second time [2013] because I got to work with my daughter, Emily, who was playing Sleeping Beauty. And I suppose I also love it in general because in my younger years I was never a fairy...but Carabosse, although she's a villain, is still a fairy so you get a lovely costume as well!

Turning now to Robin Hood and the Babes in the Wood, you co-wrote the script, as you also did for Cinderella - what was it that prompted the change to home-written scripts?
When you write the script, you can tailor it to the company's needs and there's more scope for finding new comic routines, new characters, and new ways of approaching the stories...and we've even built a whole scene around a song we wanted to get into the show before! A big part of it, too, is that it's cheaper, which means more money to give to our charities.

What is it about this particular version of Robin Hood and the Babes in the Wood that you love?
I think it's a lovely contrast to some of the more Disney-esque shows. There really is something for everyone - action, comedy, romance, all sorts, plus a wonderful mix of songs. And it's giving a lot of our members a chance at a speaking role, including two of our younger members, Madeline and Miley. It's been really nice to see their acting skills and their confidence grow and develop through the rehearsal process, and they are now absolutely ready for an audience...and they're loving every minute of it!

And finally, why should people buy tickets?
Because no-one does panto quite like The Wight Strollers! I truly believe we give professional quality entertainment at amateur prices - I know I always say it, but I really do believe it. Once you've seen a Wight Strollers show, you will definitely be back for more.

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To get your tickets for Robin Hood and the Babes in the Wood, being performed at Medina Theatre this February Half Term, all you have to do is phone 01983 823884, visit the Medina Theatre website, or pop over to the Box Office or 1Leisure Reception in person! See you in the audience!

The Babes in the Wood: Meeting Madeline and Miley...

Robin Hood and the Babes in the Wood is our 2019 pantomime, and rehearsals are going brilliantly!

Everyone has surely heard of Robin Hood - and we'll hear more about him in another post! - but who are the Babes and how do their paths cross with that of Robin?

The Babes, in this instance, are Eleanor and Edith of London, nieces to King Richard (poetic licence abounds in Panto Land!) and heirs to the throne of England.

And so it is our great pleasure to introduce to you Madeline (aged 13) and Miley (aged 8), who are taking on their first speaking roles within the company.

Madeline's first show with The Wight Strollers was Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat in July 2016 and Miley's first show was Snow White and the Seven Dwarves in 2014, so neither are newcomers to the company and both are going to absolutely knock your socks off!

So let's get to know them a little...

How did you feel when you were offered the part?
Madeline: Overjoyed, because I felt as if I could really become the character of Eleanor.
Miley: I was really excited and a bit nervous, but when I started rehearsing I felt really happy and I was excited to do the show. I can't wait to perform in front of a real audience.

What's your favourite bit of the pantomime to perform?

Miley: When I have to say to Willie 'it needs practice', because I can be sassy! And also the part when I get to sing with Madeline, who is a fabulous pretend sister.
Madeline: 'Hushabye Mountain' because I get to sing, and it's also a really sweet moment for me and Miley together - and I love that.

And what about your favourite scene to watch?
Madeline: The jail scene with the Merry Men. Because it's just hilarious, and it's so clever...and all of their facial expressions are amazing!
Miley:  'Are You In Or Out?' because it's very funky and I like dancing to it, and I bet everybody else will love it as much as I do!

What do you like about performing with The Wight Strollers?
Miley: I love singing and dancing and performing with the friends I have made in the Strollers. I love being on stage with my family, too, as my Mum and my sister are also in the panto.
Madeline: The Wight Strollers are like a second family - everyone is so caring, and they give so much to charity.

Why do you think theatre is such a great hobby for young people?
Madeline: You get to just be yourself. And you also get to meet and perform with lots of great and different people.
Miley: Because you get to act and find your passion whilst making friends and having fun. It's hard work at times and can be exhausting but also very exciting.

Why should people buy tickets to see Robin Hood and the Babes in the Wood?

Miley: There's lots of jokes and funny bits, and you get to join in with boos and hisses. It's a show the whole family can enjoy - there's some jokes my Dad finds funny but I don't understand!
Madeline: And because the show can make you cry and laugh at the same time!
Miley: Make sure you buy your tickets or you'll miss out!

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Get your tickets to see this wonderful duo in action this February Half Term at Medina Theatre - all you have to do is phone 01983 823884 or visit the Medina Theatre website...or pop into the Box Office/1Leisure Reception in person! See you in the audience!

The Tale of Robin Hood...

He robs from the rich to give to the poor. He's an outlaw who has the heart of Maid Marian and the hatred of the Sheriff of Nottingham. He lives in Sherwood Forest with his gang of Merry Men.

But how much do we really know about Robin Hood and his Merry Men?

It's time to explore the legend, give you a few fun facts, and answer some questions you didn't even know you wanted to ask!

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Was Robin Hood a real person?
The jury is out on this one! Quite possibly, although exactly who his legend stemmed from has become muddied with time, made muddier still by the fact that many bandits, outlaws and vigilantes over the centuries adopted the name of 'Robin Hood' as an alias to keep their identities secret.

How far back can Robin Hood be traced?
The earliest known records of Robin are from the 14th Century, and mentioned with him from the get-go are the Sheriff of Nottingham, Little John, Much the Miller's son and Will Scarlett - Maid Marian, Alan-A-Dale and Friar Tuck, however, are nowhere to be seen!

Alright then, so when did they make an appearance?
Not until the 15th century, when Robin Hood became commonly associated with the May Day festivities and many drinking games, parties and plays were themed around him and his merry band of outlaws. Friar Tuck and Maid Marian made their entrance here, and in some regions the custom of these 'games' lasted right up until Elizabethan times, with Robin often allocated the role of May King to preside over the games and processions.

But still no Alan-A-Dale?
Believe it or not, the minstrel known as Alan-A-Dale didn't actually make his first appearance until the 17th Century, and it depends on which adaptation you're paying attention to as to whether or not he's part of the Merry Men or portrayed as more of a 'Narrator' figure, singing ballads about Robin Hood and his friends and foes.

Was Robin Hood always popular?
Unlike many legendary or historical figures, yes. Robin Hood was always popular, particularly among those who were living in poverty and - perhaps more strangely - those living at the other end of the spectrum, with great wealth.

And was he really Lord Robin of Locksley, before he was outlawed?
Historically, it's actually more likely that Robin Hood - if he existed - was a commoner himself, at least of a sort. It was actually only in 1795 when Joseph Ritson published 'Robin Hood: A collection of all the Ancient Poems Songs and Ballads now extant, relative to that celebrated Outlaw' that the most commonly accepted 'version' of Robin became more concrete. Ritson placed Robin's birth at around 1160, thus making him active in the reign of King Richard I. He also thought that Robin was of aristocratic birth, and that his original name was Robert Fitzooth...but there is a big question mark over the reliability of his sources! 


So actually, who Robin Hood really was is probably going to remain a mystery for all time...if indeed he ever existed at all!
Exactly right. We can safely say he probably existed as a person...but how true his existence was to the stories told of him, and indeed whether those stories can all be attributed to one man, is another matter entirely! Robert has always been a popular name, and in medieval England 'Robin' was by far the most common diminutive. The surname Hood was pretty common back then, too, and most commonly it referred to either a 'hooder', who was a maker of hoods, or to somebody who wore a hood. Because of this, there are a number of 'Robert Hood' and 'Robin Hood' references throughout historical records, and a good number of them are known to have fallen foul of the law on more than one occasion...it must be something about the name!

Drinking games, plays, processions, secret identities - so far, it doesn't sound much like a story for children!
It wasn't! Robin Hood actually only became a popular children's hero in the 19th Century, when authors began to adapt Joseph Ritson's tales of Robin Hood into a variety of children's novels and poems.

Followed by a whole host of films and TV series in more recent times...
And these films added yet more details to the legend we all know and love. From Walt Disney to the BBC, the production companies who have taken Robin Hood and run with him are plentiful, each with their own unique spin on the character and those around him.  But then isn't that the beauty of a legend? It can be shaped, told and retold a hundred times over, in a hundred different ways, and never lose its essence.

...And let's not forget Robin Hood in pantomime form!
Yes, and pantomimes. It's actually impossible to tell when Robin Hood first became the subject of a pantomime but, with the art itself dating back to 16th century Italy in its earliest form and reaching its traditional form by the Victorian era, it's safe to say Robin's first panto appearance could have happened at any time. Given how popular he was as a cult figure it was probably earlier rather than later!

So what about the people who have portrayed him? Exactly how many different Robins are there?
On film alone, there are numerous Robins (some better than others!), including Kevin Costner, Errol Flynn, Russell Crowe, Patrick Bergin, Sean Connery and - most recently - Taron Egerton, to name just a few. Include the Robins of television and stage and we're talking about too many for us to count or record! Each one, too, is so very different to the last - he's been cheeky, brave, romantic, moody, funny, heroic, dashing, tormented, sarcastic, sweet, and everything in between!

And as for our Robin?

Well, you'll have to buy tickets to find out...! 

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You can get your tickets for Robin Hood and the Babes in the Wood by phoning 01983 823884 or by visiting the Medina Theatre website, or simply by popping up to the 1Leisure Reception in person! At just £10 for adults and £8 for Under 14s, this is one fabulous show at bargain prices that you will not want to miss!