DANNY, CHAMPION OF THE WORLD TAKES BRENTWOOD

A really charming and unusual introduction to the festive season is filling a theatre in Brentwood at the moment.

While every theatre company has been sewing on sequins and rehearsing the old jokes, Brentwood Theatre has chosen Roald Dahl’s Danny the Champion of the World and about as far from the hype of Christmas as you can get.

Pic by Carmel Jane

Published in 1975, this childrens’ story is a delightful tale of a widowed father and son living in an old Gypsy Caravan and making a living by repairing cars.

Making the event really unique, Brentwood also engage actors relatively new to the profession for the roles.

Lee White boo hiss

In particular, former Hedley Walter School lad, Lee White, returns home and plays the villainous Mr Hazell brilliantly, stirring the boo and hiss brigade to high levels every time he walked on.

The story goes that when Danny was only four months old, his mother died, and ever since his poacher father William, has given him an unusual education.

This is typical Dahl, taking life as it is and turning it into a good story.

Jackson Pentland

William, nicely played by Jackson Pentland, is the dad most kids would love to have, more of a friend than parent.

Porl Matthews

Porl Matthews gives the role of Danny a nice homely edge portraying him as the kind of lad most dads would like as well.

The other characters include the essential people that are needed to turn the play into a story, with most taking on a wide variety of the roles.

Joelle Campbell took on Charlie Kinch, a nice addition to the group and played with a lot of sympathy. Seeing as this is Joelle’s first professional role, she should be proud of her performance. Another first was from Elka Lee Green playing Mrs Clipstone. Again fitting nicely into the play.

Elka Lee Green

Allen Watts

Joelle Campbell

Abi Taylor Jones as Dr Spencer gave her some real character opportunities and she obviously enjoyed them, as did Allen Watts as the cycling Samways. Not an easy thing to do cycling round the bijou stage, and for a first professional performance, Allen should be pleased with his portrayal of a policeman I think we would all like to see without an ‘evening all’ in the place.

Abi Taylor Jones

As I said in the beginning, a charming difference to the festive season and something very much for the youngsters. Mind you there were more than a few adults who enjoyed it as well, particularly when the cast had everyone in the auditorium on their feet for some noisy audience participation.

This play also celebrates the theatre’s coming of age, opening its doors 21 years ago.

Danny the Champion of the World runs until January 3 and still has some tickets at £12 available. Also if you book now the theatre is offering some extra’s.

Call the box office on 01277 200305 or log onto http://www.brentwood-theatre.org

It’s well worth it and the chance to enjoy feeling festive with a good cast of professionals.