“Grand Charity Cabaret” - 27
th
September
Once again SAKA found an alternative use for Christ Church Day Care Centre when it hosted its second annual evening of fun and frivolity to raise funds to help support the victims of the great famine of 1932-33, many of whom are still living in poverty in Ukraine.
Don Buckland, dressed as a cockney rebel, started us off with a rendition of “Brahn Boots” by Weston & Lee describing some rather unusual attire at Aunt Hanna's funeral. Don is chairman of the Bidborough Dramatic Society. Gina Franks, another BDS member, raised the tone exponentially when she sang beautifully “Tell Me Fair Lady” from Mozart’s “The Marriage of Figaro”. Unfortunately the MC’s joke afterwards about Figaro being a fertilizer popular in Vienna in the 18
th
century didn’t go down too well.
Next up was David Ward, a very talented member of SAKA, who demonstrated not only his magical abilities but also his virtuosity on the accordion. He didn’t make it disappear but at least one of his balloon dogs did just that and with a bang, before a successful creation was presented to a young member of the audience. He didn’t try to saw any ladies in half but apparently David does have two half sisters!
Terry Langford, from the Paddock Wood Magpies, entertained with his splendid singing. As we discovered last year, Terry is keen on Elvis and his performance of “Girls! Girls! Girls!” this time was legendary. It was then Mike Handcock’s turn to be all at sea when his advances to the lovely Gina Franks were rudely interrupted by the cleaning lady, alias Colette Marsh, in a sketch entitled “You’re Just in Love”. It seems he changed allegiance in the end – it must be an age thing!
Undiscouraged by performing in front of a SAKA audience earlier in the evening Don Buckland made another appearance with “A Pale Young Curate” from Gilbert and Sullivan’s “The Sorcerer”. The musical interlude was followed by Anne Holford, another BDS member, performing a Joyce Grenfell sketch entitled “The Committee”. It seemed all too familiar and yes we’ve all been to meetings like that!
It was about this time that we were beginning to receive news about the impact of the credit crisis on the Japanese banks. To mention just a few of those affected, we learned that the Origami Bank had just folded, Sumo Bank had gone belly up and apparently Investigators have realised that something fishy is going on at the Sushi Bank because customers have reported getting a raw deal.
Terry Langford stepped up to the podium for a second session. He was to be accompanied this time by Pat Jay but he was unfortunately still stuck on the M25. Nevertheless Terry carried on manfully. The finale was provided by Gina Franks with “I’m Just the Girl who Can’t Say No” from Oklahoma. Gina’s piece, and indeed all the singing, except for Terry who had his own equipment, was accompanied by Erica Counsell on the piano. Erica did a tremendous job and in recognition of her stoicism the SAKA committee may want to consider the services of a piano tuner before next year’s event!
A welcome fish and chip supper was once again produced by the Wei Lin’s Fish Bar in Western Road. Rhona Handcock and granddaughter Sally Andrew had prepared an excellent choice of desserts, so no one went home hungry. The Mayor of Southborough, Cllr. Colin Bothwell, presided over the Grand Draw for which tickets had been on sale throughout the summer. Thanks to all those who sold tickets, those who bought them and those who provided prizes, we were able to raise £393 and a further £120 was made as a result of the social event, which made good publicity for SAKA as well as producing a lot of laughter and enjoyment. Congratulations to the hard-working committee and those who participated in the cabaret.
This event is now a firm and successful fixture in SAKA’s calendar so make sure you don’t miss out next year. You won’t find a better value evening anywhere!
Robert Prance.
Support our supporters!
Without the support of those commercial organisations who donated prizes, we would not have been able to have staged such a successful Grand Draw. When making purchases, always keep these names in mind:
SEAFRANCE – Channel ferry services
Pantomime Productions – “Cinderella” at the Royal Victoria Hall this Christmas
Bidborough Dramatic Society – The comedy “Tons of Money” at the Bidborough Village Hall November 13
th
– 15th.
Southborough Butchers
The Grand Draw
Full list of prizewinners:
1
st
prize Seafrance Channel crossing for 5 plus car. Andrej Kotlarcyzk, Bidborough
2
nd
prize Family ticket Cinderella Pantomime Brian Dobson, Tunbridge Wells
3
rd
prize Family ticket Cinderella Pantomime Colin Bothwell, Southborough
4
th
Prize Ticket 4 persons “Tons of Money” by Peter Johnson, Crowborough
Bidborough Dramatic Society
5
th
prize Fold-up luggage set Anne Holford, Bidborough
6
th
prize Framed Print– St. Peter’s church overlooking Daisy Fletcher, Southborough
cricket on Southborough Common
7
th
prize Picnic hamper Mandy Dier, Crowborough
8
th
prize Southborough Butchers’ voucher David Coward, Southborough
9
th
prize “Jack the Ripper” book Debbie Cole, Bidborough
10
th
prize Fold-up case Elizabeth Calladine, Tonbridge
11
th
prize Swiss chocolates Rowena Morris, Southborough
12
th
prize Chartwell table mats Michael Holman, Tunbridge Wells
13
th
prize Leather handbag Audrey Constable, Pembury
14
th
prize Condiments set Robert Prance, Southborough
