A life-size ultraviolet Indian elephant stole the spotlight during two days of pantomime performances at The National Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs (NFYFC) Performing Arts competition, sponsored by KUHN.
Whitley Chapel YFC from Northumberland created the impressive elephant out of pieces of plywood and ultraviolet paint. Members of the cast coordinated the pieces on stage to make it appear as if the illuminated animal was walking in their winning production of Jungle Book the Pantomime.
Producer Lewis Short said:
“I wanted to do a very simple story and fill the rest of the time with pantomime elements, so we had custard pie scenes, fun songs, slapstick comedy, and a standalone UV elephant scene. A simple story but with loads of pantomime fun throughout.
“The cast wanted to do a UV scene. I hadn’t written one into the show, so I had to write the scene where I knew there was going to have to be an elephant, but I wanted it to be full scale. I had to get the measurements of an Indian elephant, make sure it stood the right height and width so that when it got made on stage, it was really impressive.
“We painted it over and over and over again to make sure it was as bright as possible. We wanted it to come together without anyone realising an elephant was coming on the stage and then all of a sudden, it appears.”
The spectacle won the award for Best Moment in Theatre for Whitley Chapel, and their whole production went on to win the overall Best Pantomime too.
It is the third time in 10 years that the Northumberland club has won the Performing Arts trophy and producer Lewis Short is proud to have been involved in all the club’s productions, since being handed the baton when their former producer Gillian Nixon passed away in 2012.
Gillian had been involved in YFC’s Performing Arts competitions since the 1970s and had written many productions and encouraged hundreds of YFC members to take to the stage. Whitley Chapel YFC donated the Gillian Nixon Memorial Trophy to the Performing Arts competition in her memory, after they won the Pantomime competition in 2015.
Lewis said: “This is the third time we have won it in the last 10 years, so Gillian would be extremely proud. Gillian set the benchmark, and we have carried it on.
“Gillian was a producer all through my time as a junior in Young Farmers, up to an intermediate. When she sadly passed away, it was up to me and her son Daniel to carry on producing the shows.
“She put so much time and effort into giving us these great experiences at national finals. Taking over the reins is a big responsibility, but I wanted to give back to this club after I’d left Young Farmers to follow in her footsteps. That’s why we donated this trophy when we won it in 2015 so it’s nice to be taking it back again!”
The club has been rehearsing since January with a cast ranging in ages from 16 to 27.
Benji, who is 16, played the leading role of Jane, The Dame, and collected the Best Moment in Theatre award on behalf of the club.
“All the lines I’ve ever had in pantomimes have only been one line,” said Benji. “Lewis ‘asked’ if I wanted to do it, and I gave it a shot and thoroughly enjoyed all of it. I’m so much more confident, going out there in front of all those people. Delivering a solid chunk of the whole play really increased my confidence.
“It’s my favourite competition and I love it every time we do it. You get so many people involved, whether they have main roles or in the background – everyone has their bit to do.”
The club officers are always keen to impress that everyone has a role in the production – from the cast to the backstage crew. Lauren Kristensen was responsible for sound and lights and said it was a massive team effort.
“The most important thing is that everyone gets a chance to be part of it if they want to be part of it and all come together and put on a wonderful show.
“We have a phenomenal group of parents that support us as well. It’s a whole club effort but it’s a community effort for us too. It’s just really special.”
One of the secrets to Whitley’s success is ensuring everyone in the background on stage is always acting their role. Bethany Marshall played Shere Khan, the tiger in the production and advised everyone they needed to give it their all to make it a success.
“It’s always about the little things,” said Bethany. “What are people doing in the background? They’re not just stood watching, what are they all doing?
“And we always say: ‘give it beans’ – you’ve got to give it 100% and let everything go because you might only get to do it once or twice, so make that the best time you ever do it.”
Three other awards were given by judges. Tom Brown, who played Mummy Mustin in East Riding of Yorkshire FYFC’s production of Jack and the Pea Vine won the Best Performance in a Lead Role. Hannah Morris from Dyffryn Tanat YFC won Best Performance in a Supporting Role for her role as Alexo in the club’s production of Cinderella and the Lost Welly. The Best Performance by a member under 17 was won by Cobie from Golden Valley YFC for his performance of Lord Snatchit in their production of the Golden Acre.
