So... I'd left the Harlequins (or it had left me?) and although Sunday evenings at home was nice for a while, I began to miss it. Then, when Brian took me to the Bottisham Player's Panto in Feb 2000 (good panto, guys) and there was an advert to join the Players, I determined to do so. Taking my courage in both hands, I went along on the night - wow! Men! Lots of people (both more or less unheard of in the Harlequins by then). I auditioned for the Variety Show and kind of fell into co-ordinating the costumes for it (as well as appearing in it). Well, how was I to know how BIG it was?

The Variety Show 2000 celebrates the last 2000 years without mentioning the M word. It progresses from 0 AD to the present day with songs, dances, sketches. It has big numbers with a full chorus and sketches with fewer (down to one!) performers between these. The biggest item is the finale with 44 people on stage, the big choral numbers have around 30. And it takes in a Roman Centurion, Twelfth Night and Max Miller - so it needed a very diverse set of costumes. And lots of them!

I needed help, too. Some volunteered (Rosemary Jolley, Rosemary Barker, Nicola Clark, Lesley Pilgrim, Linda Larner, Karen Sangster, Avis Coles and David Coles) and some were press-ganged (sorry, Mum). It would have been impossible without them and the good will of the cast. It would also have been impossible without Hammonds, County Wardrobe and Nomads who hired us the costumes, especially Hammonds who supplied the most costumes (Tudor, Victorian, Circus, Grease are theirs).

Some text follows, with links to pictures. If you click on a picture link, it will be in a new window, so you can see this index at the same time.

Act I:

Item 1: 3 songs from Jesus Christ Superstar. We dressed in choir robes borrowed from local churches (amazingly, I ended up in one from Lode). Nicola Clark was new to the camera. Item1, pic 1 Fleur Routley, Tracey Browne, Deanne Haynes, Jenny Prangnell, Lynda Ibbitt, Jennie Fatibene, Chris Clarke, Sophie Wilson, Avis Coles, Pam Daish, Karen Sangster, Marilyn Harmer, Linda Larner, Wanda Bullock, Sally-Jane Papworth, Jane Seakins, Sue Tennant, Margaret Coles, Rosemary Jolley, Phil, Frank Hancocks, David Coles, Ted Sketchley, Grahame Radford, Ali White, Chris Browne, Lawrie Clarke, Stephen Harmer

Item 2: a monologue from Derek Woodhead dressed as a Roman Centurion (hired). Item2, pic 1

Item 3: a song "When I Gaze at You Again" (from Camelot) by Fleur Routley in her own dress, gazing at Phil dressed in a medieval robe (hired). Item3, pic 1

Item 4: the Battle of Hastings monologue from Richard Clarkson dressed as a knight in things from the Players' store cupboard.Item4, pic 1

Item 5: "Brush Up Your Shakespeare" from Frank Hancocks, Ali White and Ted Sketchley in Tudor costumes (hired). Plus a view of the orchestra. Item5, pic 1

Item 6: the Duel Scene from Twelfth Night in Tudor costumes (hired). Item6, pic 1 Richard Clarkson, Chris Browne, Sophie Wilson. Item6, pic 2 Phil (Andrew Aguecheek), Richard Clarkson (Sir Toby Belch), Chris Browne (Fabian), Sophie Wilson (Maria). Item6, pic 3 Chris Browne, Richard Clarkson, Jane Seakins (Viola).

Item 7: Tudor Music Madrigal - more Tudor costumes (hired).Item6, pic 1 Item6, pic 2 Linda Larner, Jenny Prangnell, Karen Sangster, Jane Seakins, Frank Hancocks, Ted Sketchley, Grahame Radford, Chris Browne.

Item 8: Les Miserables: Master Of The House. Skirts made by Nicola, my Mum and I with blouses from the Player's store and hired shirts for the men. Chris Clarke made her own dress for Mme Thenadier (pic 5). Item8, pic 1 Item8, pic 2Item8, pic 3 Item8, pic 4 Item8, pic 5 Tracey Browne, Deanne Haynes, Lynda Ibbitt, Jennie Fatibene, Chris Clarke, Sophie Wilson, Pam Daish, Karen Sangster, Marilyn Harmer, Linda Larner, Wanda Bullock, Sally-Jane Papworth, Sue Tennant, Christine Lawson, Margaret Coles, Rosemary Jolley, David Coles, Frank Hancocks, Ted Sketchley, Grahame Radford, Ali White, Chris Browne, Lawrie Clarke, Stephen Harmer

Item 9: Les Miserables: Do You Hear The People Sing. Richard Morris in a Georgian soldier costume (hired) with the rest of us as item 8. Item9, pic 1 Fleur Routley, Tracey Browne, Deanne Haynes, Jenny Prangnell, Lynda Ibbitt, Jennie Fatibene, Chris Clarke, Sophie Wilson, Avis Coles, Pam Daish, Karen Sangster, Marilyn Harmer, Linda Larner, Wanda Bullock, Sally-Jane Papworth, Jane Seakins, Sue Tennant, Christine Lawson, Margaret Coles, Rosemary Jolley, Frank Hancocks, David Coles, Richard Morris, Phil, Ted Sketchley, Grahame Radford, Ali White, Chris Browne, Lawrie Clarke, Stephen Harmer

Item 10: Food, Glorious Food. Avis Coles in a dress from the Player's store, David Coles in bits and pieces, urchins in hired costumes. Item10, pic 1Item10, pic 2Avis Coles, Amy Seakins, Libby Tennant, Jocasta Haynes, Sarah Pilgrim, Alexa Daish, David Coles, Jake Young, Christopher Tennant, Hollie Coles

Item 11: Mad Hatter's Tea Party. Amy Seakins in a gown from the Player's store, Lawrie Clarke in a hired Hare, Ali White in a Player's head, Richard Clarkson in items from the Player's store.Item11, pic 1 Item11, pic 2

Item 12: Master and the Maid (Victorian Melodrama). Everyone in borrowed items or things they wear later in the performance that were hired plus things from the Player's store. Item12, pic 1 Richard Morris (Chairman) in his own clothes. Item12, pic 2 Fleur Routley, Phil, Lynda Ibbitt. Stephen Harmer not in pictures.

Item 13: Old Tyme Music Hall. Most people in hired costumes plus a few things from stores. Item13, pic 1 Item13, pic 2Item13, pic 3 Item13, pic 4 Item13, pic 5 Jenny Prangnell, Lynda Ibbitt, Jennie Fatibene, Chris Clarke, Sophie Wilson, Avis Coles, Karen Sangster, Marilyn Harmer, Linda Larner, Wanda Bullock, Sally-Jane Papworth, Jane Seakins, Sue Tennant, Christine Lawson, Margaret Coles, Frank Hancocks, David Coles, Ted Sketchley, Grahame Radford, Ali White, Richard Morris, Chris Browne, Lawrie Clarke, Stephen Harmer

Act II:

Item 14: Join the Circus like you wanted to. Lots of thinking to do this one - plate spinners and high kickers were a big problem! Clowns in things from stores, children in own leotards or from stores, Strongman by Chris Clarke, rest hired. Item14, pic 1 Item14, pic 2 Item14, pic 3 Deanne Haynes, Lynda Ibbitt, Chris Clarke, Sophie Wilson, Avis Coles, Sally-Jane Papworth, Marilyn Harmer, Jane Seakins, Christine Lawson, Margaret Coles, Sue Tennant, Tracey Browne, Amy Seakins, Libby Tennant, Jocasta Haynes, Sarah Pilgrim, Alexa Daish, David Coles, Ted Sketchley, Jake Young, Christopher Tennant, Ali White, Chris Browne, Lawrie Clarke, Stephen Harmer, Hollie Coles

Item 15: The Boyfriend (followed by a Charleston dance). Dresses made by Rosemary Barker and Linda Larner, guys in hired blazers (pictures from dressing room). Item15, pic 1Fleur Routley, Tracey Browne, Jenny Prangnell, Jennie Fatibene, Pam Daish, Karen Sangster, Linda Larner, Margaret Coles, Rosemary Jolley, Sue Tennant Item15, pic 2 Derek Woodhead, Grahame Radford, Frank Hancocks

Item 16: Blue Moon. Richard Morris gloriously singing (picture from dressing room). Item16, pic 1

Item 17: Don't put your daughter on the stage, Mrs Worthington. Grahame Radford in a hired smoking jacket (no picture :-( ).

Item 18: 42nd Street. Fleur Routley, Jenny Prangnell, Pam Daish, Sue Tennant, Rosemary Jolley in Player's costumes. Item18, pic 1

Item 19: Max Miller as played by Grahame Radford in a hired flowery suit. Item19, pic 1 Item19, pic 2

Item 20: Chattanooga Choo Choo: Fleur Routley and Phil in their own clothes. Item20, pic 1 Item20, pic 2

Item 21: String of Pearls. Pam Daish, Sue Tennant, Rosemary Jolley, Margaret Coles and Frank Hancocks in hired RAF uniforms.Item21, pic 1 Item21, pic 2

Item 22: Ron and Eth (The Glums). Graham Waterhouse and Marilyn Harmer in their own clothes. Item22, pic 1

Item 23: Old Girls' Reunion (Joyce Grenfell). Brighid Simpkin in her own dress, Player's hat, Sophie Wilson's shoes and bag.Item23, pic 1

Item 24: Rock around the Clock. Karen Sangster, Linda Larner, Rosemary Jolley, Neil, Frank Hancocks, Grahame Radford in costumes by Linda and Karen. Item24, pic 1 Item24, pic 2Item24, pic 3 Item25, pic 4

Item 25: We Go Together (Grease). Hired skirts for the girls plus own cardi's shoes etc, own biker jackets, jeans and sunglasses for the blokes. Item25, pic 1 Item25, pic 2Item25, pic 3Fleur Routley, Lynda Ibbitt, Jennie Fatibene, Chris Clarke, Sophie Wilson, Amy Seakins, Libby Tennant, Sarah Pilgrim, Alexa Daish, Marilyn Harmer, Sally-Jane Papworth, Jane Seakins, Sue Tennant, Margaret Coles, Jocasta Haynes (plus Karen Sangster, Linda Larner, Rosemary Jolley, Phil, Ted Sketchley, Jake Young, Christopher Tennant, Ali White, Chris Browne, Stephen Harmer, Jenny Prangnell, Wanda Bullock, Christine Lawson, Tracey Browne, Deanne Haynes, Pam Daish, Hollie Coles

Item 26: Summer Nights (Grease). As Item 25. Item26, pic 1 Item26, pic 2

Item 27: Train Ride (The Two Ronnies). Chris Browne, Jane Seakins, Graham Waterhouse in their work clothes plus a Players' bowler.Item27, pic 1

Item 28: Round the Horne. Stephen Harmer in suit and tails, Phil and Graham Waterhouse in Players' shirt plus own clothes.Item28, pic 1 Item28, pic 2

Item 29: Fashion Show. Item29, pic 1 Libby Tennant, Alexa Daish (own clothes) Item29, pic 2 Amy Seakins, Sarah Pilgrim (hired)Item29, pic 3 Jennie Fatibene, Karen Sangster (Players' skirt and Sophie Wilson's clothes)Item29, pic 4 Sally-Jane Papworth, Wanda Bullock (loaned dress, hired dress).

Item 30: My Guy. Hired dresses for Tracey Browne, Pam Daish, Jenny Prangnell, Deanne Haynes. Item30, pic 1

Item 31: Thank you for the Music. Cast's own party clothes.Item31, pic 1 Item31, pic 2 Item31, pic 3Lynda Ibbitt, Chris Clarke, Sophie Wilson, Avis Coles, Amy Seakins, Libby Tennant, Marilyn Harmer, Linda Larner, Wanda Bullock, Sally-Jane Papworth, Jane Seakins, Sue Tennant, Christine Lawson, Margaret Coles, Jocasta Haynes, Sarah Pilgrim, Alexa Daish, Rosemary Jolley Jolley, Phil, Frank Hancocks, David Coles, Ted Sketchley, Derek Woodhead, Jake Young, Christopher Tennant, Grahame Radford, Ali White, Chris Browne, Lawrie Clarke, Stephen Harmer, Hollie Coles

Item 32: Spice up your Life. Cast as Item 31. Tracey Browne (Sporty) wears her own clothes, Jennie Fatibene (Posh) wears Sophie Wilson's dress, Fleur Routley (Baby) wears Players' skirt, Karen Sangster (Ginger) made the dress specially, Pam Daish (Scarey) wears her own clothes. Item32, pic 1 Item32, pic 2

Item 33: Finale: From a Distance. As Item 32. Item33, pic 1 Fleur Routley, Tracey Browne, Deanne Haynes, Jenny Prangnell, Lynda Ibbitt, Jennie Fatibene, Chris Clarke, Sophie Wilson, Avis Coles, Pam Daish, Amy Seakins, Libby Tennant, Karen Sangster, Marilyn Harmer, Linda Larner, Wanda Bullock, Sally-Jane Papworth, Jane Seakins, Sue Tennant, Christine Lawson, Margaret Coles, Rosemary Jolley, Jocasta Haynes, Sarah Pilgrim, Alexa Daish, Brighid, Phil, Frank Hancocks, David Coles, Ted Sketchley, Derek Woodhead, Jake Young, Christopher Tennant, Grahame Radford, Ali White, Richard Morris, Chris Browne, Stephen Harmer, Graham Waterhouse, Hollie Coles

A little note about Hollie (who mostly played a boy): on the first night, she was sick on stage (in Food Glorious Food) and was very ill for the second night. She came and watched from the dressing room on the last night - when her mum, Margaret became ill, too, but soldiered on through the important bits.