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2020vision Merchants Connected ArchivesJ4 and J3 Play - report and Pics
On 7th February, J4 performed this year's play "The Scally in his City", accompanied by J3's music.
The play was a huge success and, judging by these photos, the boys had a fantastic time performing.
Here are a couple of reports from John Smith and Chris Oldnall.
On Thursday, the 7th of February 2008 J4 and J3 performed their joint school play, "The Scally and His City". At the start the Scallys, played by Tom Durband, Michael Sumner, Tom Harley and Felix Martin bring a wheel onto the stage. They haven't got a clue where it came from - all they know is that they want to get to the Year 2008 and "The Capital of Culture - Liverpool". The Aliens, played by Chris Oldnall and Charlie Byrne, both in fabulous Alien costumes, guide the Scallys through this journey where they meet lots of famous people from cavemen (Harry Cave and Vincent Chow) to entrepreneurs like Huskisson (Harry Cave) and inventors like Stephenson (Jack McComb), to entertainers and football coaches.
After the Aliens' spaceship takes off the Scallys start naming all the people they meet on the way. They come across a fit, busy man and want to call him "Stroller" but he does not like it so the Scallys name him "Walker". Walker was played by Ivan Myring, who was "short, sharp, crisp" - get it...crisp...Walker...???
The most dramatic performance was delivered by our great Venomous Maximums played by Indy Clayson, who was a bit confused...it's "Salute" not "Salami" and I hope the Roman leaders knew their numbers! And the Scallys just happen to have a set of wheels which Venomous had lost and they get scared because they think he might be "di bizies" (Police). An interesting thought as throughout the play the Scallys steal "wheels", a common myth...
Venomous Maximus is also confused about the ball he's holding. He hasn't got a clue about football and it's rules. He thinks the English are much given to kicking things. Yes. Enter the Evertonis, played of course by True Blues Sam Moore, Sam Stubbs and Jack McComb. And then there were some other footballers who wore some kind of red kit...Liversomething??????
In the next scene King John (played by me) enters the stage. He's dragging a big trunk with the Liver Birds in them. The Crown Jewels he already threw into the sea. Once again the Scallys ask if they could "mind it for him". King John agrees and the Scallys are surprised at the contents.
Mrs. Taylor played in a fabulous girlie outfit by Joseph Taylor and his family Mr. Taylor (Alex Rankin) and Tiny Taylor (James Roach) introduce the Scallys to a "delicious" dish made of two pairs of shoes, one rabbit and one fish called "Scouse". Yum. The Scallys also suggest they found a school to make money "You mean, people would pay money to go to school???". Great job by Joseph - his performance was even better than his costume!!!
Another great performance was given by Joe Roby as Prince Rupert of the Rhine in the next scene. Oliver Crosby, played by Jacob Foster, and Prince Rupert both want Liverpool so they fight about it. Prince Rupert gets Chester, although he could have had Warrington. But I've been told there's better shopping in Chester and Prince Rupert really likes himself, his hair and clothes!!!
Enter the Mayor. And I mean the Mayor! Did you see that chain...Yo Yo Yo Dude!!! Poor Lewis Watkin had to change his lines, because originally the real Mayor of Liverpool was going to attend the play but then unfortunately didn't.
Two famous entertaining acts took to the stage, too: The Cockroaches (ie that band from Liverpool who cannot be named), played by Ross Downing, Indy Clayson, Oliver Sherriff and myself and Ken Dodd, played brilliantly by Lewis Watkins. Great singing!!!
Joseph Taylor chucked his girls wig and changed into costume of the Football Trainer wearing a BIG moustache, but very troubled at talking to his (foreign) players who don't understand a word he's trying to say.
Venomous comes back on to the stage with a police hat. The Scallys who are now wearing their shopping pyjamas instead of their boiler suits ask again if he is "di bizzies" and he answers "Indeed, we are". They have finally arrived in Liverpool in the year 2008!
The Narrators, the Aliens and the Scallys had the most to remember in this play and they did really well. Tom Harley was unbelievably good at playing a Scally Boy I wonder if he had tuition somewhere??? Really great performance! Everyone thought both Toms were outstanding in their roles!
J3 sang the accompanying songs really well, even though Mr. Wardle wasn't there to guide them. Mrs. Davies helped out and Mrs. Rogers and Mrs. Wynne deserved every bit of applause the play got at the end.
By John Smith J4T
The play got off to a good start even though Chris Oldnall as Alien Two had a wardrobe malfunction when he couldn’t get his scanner out of his pocket in the opening scene!
J3 sang throughout the play and sang traditional Liverpool songs like ‘In my Liverpool home’, and old pop hits ‘Ferry Across the Mersey’ and ‘Yellow Submarine’, parents and guests joined in wholeheartly and its rumoured that even Mr Bennett hummed along.
The costumes were creative and stylish – particularly the four Scally’s outfits of shell suits and pyjamas and Joseph Taylor’s wig!
One of the highlights of the night was when Indy Clayson ( as Venomous Maximus) came onto the stage, being pushed along on a luggage trolley – because the Scallys had stolen the wheels off his chariot !
Scene four saw the arrival of a pretty lady on high heels and wearing an attractive pink dress- Joseph Taylor gave a brilliant performance as Mrs Taylor, and the scene was very funny because Tiny Taylor was bigger than his dad!
The ending scene of the first half had the four Scallys played by Tom Durband, Tom Harley, Felix Martin and Michael Sumner perform the YMCA dance in the way that only a Scally can!
After the interval and with all actors feeling more confident we got on with the show, when the painters and decorators (Sean Young and George Hughes) arrived to paint the next scene! (Bad joke I know but I couldn’t resist!).
Scene nine had well known songs from a band called the ‘Cockroaches’ who the Aliens thought wouldn’t go very far and the Scallys told them to go and find Brian Epstein because he would ‘take anybody!’ The scene was funny because John Smith didn’t need a wig to play a Beetle!
The final scene was hilarious when all four Scallys came on stage wearing matching ‘shopping’ pyjamas ( primarks best) the boys all looked very cool and ended the evening by telling the Aliens that Respect was due, which indeed it was to all the cast who were magnificent.
We all had a great time (including the audience) and Mrs Rogers and Mrs Wynne received bouquets to thank them for putting the show together, as well as Mrs Broom who played piano for the J3 choir.
Report by Chris Oldnall
