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Evening Telegraph, Monday, January 7, 1974
Transcribed by Greville Watson 2019
Wonderful world of Ali Baba

ET clip RATS Ali Baba 1974

The slave days are back, left. Rushden Amateur Theatrical Society's pantomime "Ali Baba" is ready to go. Ali Baba, played by Joan Vaughan with her slave girl Morgiana, played by Jayne Warner.



Evening Telegraph, Tuesday, January 8, 1974
Transcribed by Greville Watson 2019

Ali Baba bowls 'em over

Nothing succeeds like success, as they say.  So by the time word has spread through Rushden schools today the town’s amateur theatrical society should be inundated with requests for the hundreds of tickets they still have for sale for their latest pantomime.
For the RATS certainly created an impression with “Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves” last night.
Committee members, Pat and Ben Catlin, who cooked up the script between them, made sure of all the traditional ingredients for panto success – plenty of laughter, singing and dancing – and spiced them with local and topical quips.
Professional producer John Henderson, had obviously added the polish to local talent, but the audience left no doubt about its rating of “show star” this year.

Ballet

Bob Minney, as Aba Ben Ana, spent most of the night picking himself up from the Ritz stage, but his particular brand of Norman Wisdom type comedy and slapstick won him the honour, and at times, show stopping applause.
Teamed with John Stringer, another of the RATS’ accomplished comedians, their ballet duet with a balloon as a prop was hilarious.
Joan Vaughan and Jayne Warner, as principal boy (Ali Baba) and girl (Morgiana) were well chosen and their audience particularly enjoyed the sentiment of their duets, and a vivacious presentation of “Gingerbread man.”
Graham Ward is no stranger to Rushden audiences and his role as Abdulla, the slave boy gave him plenty of opportunity to display his talents as a tap dancer and singer.
Peter Carpenter made a huge impact as Fatima, the dame, and, of course, no pantomime worthy of its salt would be without its stage animal.
Robert Allen and Duncan Clarke, may have found it warm work as the front and rear legs of Clarence the Camel but their antics were rewarded in the delight of the children.
There are still plenty of seats left for repeat performances each night this week and for the Saturday matinee.

Carolyn Underwood


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