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One of the nicest things about
producing shows like this is the feedback, especially personal letters, from patrons
who've attended the show. Here are three examples from our last Melbourne season...
Letter 1
Thank you for your production
of "The Hobyahs". Being the mother of 5 and 7 year old daughters,
I've been to many "kids" shows over the last five years.
Without doubt, until The Hobyahs, I've been disappointed in them all — they've
not involved the children and the children have not really enjoyed anything very
much.
Throughout the Hobyahs the children were involved and with great enthusiasm
on their part. They loved the whole production.
We took another 5 year old and a 3 year old along with us — they loved it too!
After the show was over, I got many thank-yous for taking them, so thought I'd let
you know how we appreciate a decent "panto".
I have a friend who does theatre production and for a few years I have bemoaned the
fact that there's nothing decent around for kids. (I keep remembering the pantos
I went to as a child — singalong, etc.)
We loved the live band, theme music for each character, dame, hobyahs (I remember
that reader) and the general production.
Thank you for treating us to something wonderful!
Yours sincerely,
Mrs S Macdonald
PS Thought the National Theatre Ballet School Performing Group as the Hobyahs were
excellent, too... and the kids loved Trooper Trott's gun!! |
Letter 2
I do hope that your company
will be producing another pantomime next year — The Hobyahs is the best production
I have ever seen.
We have three children aged 4, 7 and 10 years and The Hobyahs appealed to each of
them, in different ways. Our 10 year old thought the ad-libbing was marvelous. At
one stage, the cast could not resist dissolving into giggles about their own performances.
Afterwards, Greig asked "were they meant to be laughing like that?" He
thought that was the best part of the show.
When we arrived home that evening, they were full of talk about various happenings
during the performance and "can we go again tomorrow night? Can we? Can we?"
No other show has ever inspired them to want to see it again!
Mrs Peppercorn was just marvelous. "Her" stage presence and repartee with
the audience was wonderful. We still don't know how many of the comments were scripted.
The clean (almost — I wouldn't like you to think that we missed the subtleties, though
I was pleased the children did!) fun humour was appreciated. It was one of the skills
of the production that the humour reached all ages. It was a show that the whole
family could enjoy.
Congratulations on a marvelous production. We shall be watching the papers carefully
next Christmas and look forward to another enjoyable evening. That 7:00 pm time slot
is good. It means that Dads are able to go along, too.
Sincerely,
Mrs. B. Meyer
PS: I must mention the band, also. They were very good and obviously enjoyed what
they were doing. EVERYONE was good!! |
Letter 3
I am a great fan of Darryl Cotton,
and I never miss watching him on the Early Bird Show every Saturday. I had never
had the opportunity of seeing him perform live, so when I heard about him being in
The Hobyahs, I made up my mind to go. I booked two tickets for the first night's
performance and my niece went with me. It was great seeing Darryl, but everyone else
in the show was really terrific. I think it was great how you all played along with
the audience and, as they say, if the people on stage look relaxed and are having
fun, the audience will be the same.
My niece and I had so much fun that the next day I went and booked another two tickets
for January 4. I got such a surprise at how much the show had changed in just two
nights because, even though the story didn't change, you all changed a few things
which made the show even funnier.
I was thrilled after that performance as one of the ladies gave me a copy of Captain
Lightning's Arrest Warrant that Darryl asked her to write out for my scrap book.
I also went around to the stage door and met Darryl as he was leaving. I told him
I was going to come again for the third time. He said come on the last night as it
will be even funnier. So when I went home I asked my mother, my cousin from Geelong
and one of my other nieces to come. The next day I booked five tickets for January
18, but didn't notice that the time had changed from 8:15 pm to 7:00 pm. We arrived
on the 18th just as the Hobyahs were singing "Barney, we're gonna eat you up!".
But it didn't matter, as your daughter (Marnie, managing the box office) was so nice.
She said she was sorry that she hadn't been able to get in touch to tell me about
the changed time. She gave me a free program, five complimentary tickets to the last
show on January 25, and we were allowed to go in and watch the last of the show that
night.
I'm glad we came on the last night. I laughed so much that I was in tears. That would
have to have been the funniest show I've seen in all my life.
You all should be given credit for a really great show. I'm really sorry I can't
see it again, as on all four occasions it was different. I only hope you can bring
out your next panto and, maybe, put the Hobyahs on again in the future.
I was talking to your daughter and told her that I had sent away for The Hobyahs
sound track. She said the people making them are not sure if they will release it.
I really hope they do, as all the songs and music from the show sounded wonderful,
and it would be a real shame to let such beautiful songs be forgotten.
Best of luck,
Miss J Davis
PS: You are a great actor yourself. I loved how you played Trooper Trott. |
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