TUDY AND THE TIME TRAVELLERS’

'In the beginning there were dark clouds, wind and rain, but then the heavens brightened - just in time for the Pageant!  Thursday 22nd April 2004 saw the first performance of 'Tudy and the Time Travellers'  written by Sue Peterson, being performed at St Mabyn Church.  The audience was treated to a travel through time from 1264 when the first priest was licensed in St Tudy up to the present day, through good times and bad, wars, plagues, fire, celebrations and victories.    The narration was shared by Monk - Gage Williams and Anchorite - Meg Read and the villagers from the three parishes of St Tudy, St Mabyn and Michaelstow portrayed the major characters.   It would be impossible to name all those who took part as there were about 80 in all, and I think I would run out of superlatives to describe the wonderful performances, but special mention must be made of John Lobb the peasant for whom "Nothing changes!" and the wonderful singing and dancing of our Charleston Dancer from the Roaring Twenties, Lydia Westbrook.  St Tudy himself was played by John Tanner;  the landlord of the Cornish Arms & Blisland Inn, Gary Marshall, made a splendid King Henry VIII, Gary Saundry, landlord of St Mabyn Inn as King Charles II, marched across the stage with a sheep having a blood transfusion tucked under his arm!  (The first transfusion was performed at Tremeer in St Tudy, between two sheep, and was later performed in front of King Charles II in London). Captain Bligh (Ralph Bacon) despite a badly broken wrist, managed to manoeuvre himself, and his boat, to the tune of ‘What shall we do with the drunken sailor”.  Behind the actors a PowerPoint slide show provided by the headmistress of St Tudy School, Jackie Long, was screened, adding greatly to the atmosphere, showing pictures from the historical period that was being portrayed. Sound effects were provided by Kevin Ray, and musical accompaniment on the organ from Dr Geoffrey Gibbons. The wonderful costumes were provided mainly by MC Dancewear and Fancy Dress Hire of Bodmin, Celia Hore, one of the partners came along to help with costumes and even made on the spot alterations.  Other costumes were lent by Bedlam Theatre Co,  The Cornwall Light Infantry Museum and some were made by cast members. There was also a display showing fashion from the 13^th century to the present day interspersed with short articles about historical figures featured in the Pageant, such as Braveheart, Trelawney, Richard Lower and Richard Trevithick.  This wonderful Pageant was repeated in St Tudy Church on Saturday 24^th, to a packed church, the singing and laughter threatened to raise the leaking roof of this beautiful 15^th century building.

On Friday 23^rd, there was a spectacular concert in St Tudy Church, we enjoyed a beautiful performance from Lammas, who played some of their magnificent collection of medieval instruments, and explained how they worked.  They were followed by the gentle singing of the Cadon Chorus, led by Phil Tizzard and just before the interval we were treated to ‘Voluntary & Fugue in C’ by Handel and ‘Voluntary in F’ by John Stanley  played on the organ by Dr Geoffrey Gibbons.  After the interval, the Washaway West Gallery Choir sang Psalm 34, The Dying Christian to his Soul , Thou Shepherd of Israel and Mine, and finished with Crucifixion by James Leach.  They were followed by a lively selection on the violin by Sue Rescorla.  Sue is also the fiddle player for the ‘Saffron Maids’ Morris dancers who took part in the two Pageant performances.  To end the evening the St Minver Silver Band played a wonderful selection of music, from a Chorale Prelude, to the Beatles Gold.  Their performance was almost cut short as the concert was overrunning considerably, but when it was suggested that their repertoire was reduced there was nearly a riot!  So they carried on. 

Now you would think that by now the villagers would need a rest, but no, after the Saturday Pageant ended at 7.30, the village hall was the next venue where a Barn Dance with a Bring and Share Supper took place.  About 50 stalwarts took to the dance floor and whirled the night away – the caller was Ray Buckingham.  Have we finished yet?  Oh no – Sunday at 11.05 in St Tudy Church a special Pageant Service was held, the preacher was Sub Dean Nicholas of Christ Church Oxford, (patrons of St Tudy Church) This was a joint service with the Methodist Church and many of the congregation came in their Pageant costumes.  And finally!  A lunch was held in the village hall at 12.30 – there was a spectacular array of buffet style food, with sweets to make anyone forget their diet for 24 hours!  I think we have finished now – that is until our powerhouse vicar, the Reverend Margaret Millson starts to say ‘ I’ve had an idea……’    All this was her fault!

(Majority of pictures were taken at the dress rehearsal on 21^st April)