Snoopy - The Musical

At the Elgiva Theatre, Chesham

Friday 9th September at 7.45pm
Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th September at 3.00pm and 7.45pm

About The Show Snoopy – The Musical needs little introduction. Atop his kennel, everyone's favourite dog Snoopy surveys the skies, scene of his triumph as a First World War flying ace. Below, the gang – namely Charlie Brown, his sister Sally, siblings Linus and Lucy and tomboy Peppermint Patty – set about their everyday lives. And, moving between the two, the ever-wordless Woodstock , faithful friend of Snoopy, attempts to get something right.   Snoopy – The Musical is like no other show. There is little sense of a storyline; instead the musical reflects the comic strip from which it came – presenting a series of short comedic and touching episodes. Snapshots, which are linked by the characters, rather than by an obvious plotline. For this production, we have added our own Brilliant Kids, an ever-present force throughout. They represent regular children, demonstrating Snoopy's unstinting and continuing popularity the world over. With great number following great number, sets, costumes and musical arrangements direct from the West End , and a talented company, both onstage and backstage, Snoopy is a Brilliant production to treasure!

         

The Gang

Snoopy - Matthew Fowler

Peppermint Patty - Bobbie Chatt

Woodstock - Michael Andrews

Sally Brown - Alex Bantin

Linus - Luke Fetherston

Charlie Brown - Richard Pugh

Lucy - Emma Southorn

The Brilliant Kids

Dodgers

Joshua Barnes, Sophie Bates, Layla Brooks, James Devine, Kesi Dorey, Mia Downs, Rachell Hall, Chester Hayes, Sienna Hayes, William Hemsley, Olivia Lim-Holmes, Peter Losasso, Amy Lucas, Sophie Meller, Emma Parslow, Mairi Peddison-Grant, Charly Phillips, Julianna Rowan, Lisa Shah, Esther Shiells, Grace Vance

Yankees

Megan Ashwell, Lewis Bingley, Samantha Bingley, Sarah Booth, Samantha Brain, Jennifer Clegg, Hanna Cook, Lauren Costello, Josh Evans, Paige Francis, Amy Jack, Rosie Lutt, Tinashe Mpvaenda, Katie Parfitt, Sophie Pipe, Michael Prokopiou, Holly Smth, Megan Stewart, Callie Waters, James Welling, Ben Williams.

The Band

Keyboard/Musical Director - Peter Dodsworth

Drums/Percussion - Les Arnold

Bass - Gareth Covey-Crump

Reeds - Jamie Deighton

Musical Arrangements - Matt Malone and Peter Dodsworth

Production Team

Producer/Director
Bobbie Chatt
Musical Director
Peter Dodsworth

Choreography

Matthew Fowler
Stage Management

Sally Wilson
Lighting Design and Operation

Stewart Jordan
Sound

Libby Truscott
Technical Manager for the Elgiva

Darren Jackson

Technical Support

Mino Rowlands

Construction

Malcolm Smith
Follow Spot Operators

Colin Chamberlain, Chris Lim-Holmes, John Brain

Front of House/General

Katy Davies, Alex Bantin

Costumes and Set

Morning Vicar Productions - from the recent West End production of Snoopy!

Original Poster and Programme Design

John Good Holbrook

Programme Illustrations

Laura Sheppard

Production Photographs

Annie Simons, Ian Parrott, Chris Lim-Holmes

Chaperones include

Wendy Beale, Sarah Connors, Lynne Stoddart, Deborah Parfitt, Sue Hayes, Sharon Bingley, Michelle Ashwell, Anthony Prokopiou, Jennifer Meller, Sue Parslow, Angela Mpavaenda, Amanda Booth

Front of House Assistants include

Katy Davies, Kim Bates, Lydia Pritchard, Richard Gambles, Andrea Campusano and Kate Christie

Rehearsal Space

Moonglow Dance Studios

For Brilliant Kids

Artistic Director          

Bobbie Chatt

Choreographer           

Matthew Fowler

Musical Training         

Amanda Hall

Head Chaperone        

Sally Wilson

Act One

Overture - Band / Brilliant Kids

The World According To Snoopy - Brilliant Kids and the Gang

Sit Up, Lie Down - Snoopy and the Gang

Edgar Allan Poe - The Gang

Mothers Day - Snoopy

Hurry Up Face - Peppermint Patty

I Know Now - Sally, Lucy, Peppermint Patty

The Vigil - Linus

Clouds - The Gang and Snoopy

Dime A Dozen - Lucy with Sally and Peppermint Patty

Where Did That Little Dog Go? - Charlie Brown

Daisy Hill - Snoopy

When Do The Good Things Start? - Full Company and Brilliant Kids

Act Two

Entracte - Band / Brilliant Kids

The Great Writer - Snoopy and Woodstock

Poor Sweet Baby - Peppermint Patty

Don't Be Anything Less - Sally, Linus, Patty, Charlie Brown

The Big Bow-Wow - Snoopy

Just One Person - Full Company and Brilliant Kids

Friend - Full Company

Finale - Full Company and Brilliant Kids

          Reviews

Snoopy Turns Out To Be A Crowd Pleaser

 

I'll Be honest: the thought of spending my Sunday afternoon watching a show where the lead character was a dog did not fill me with much enthusiasm. I had visions of struggling to concentrate over the rustle of sweet wrappers and constant fidgeting from an audience with an average age of eight. Well, Snoopy – The Musical, staged by Watford-based Brilliant Productions at the Elgiva in Chesham on Sunday, proved my preconceived ideas spectacularly wrong.

Brightly-coloured props and amusing costumes appealed to a younger audience, while an intelligent plot satisfied grown-ups. The bittersweet story of Charlie Brown and his eclectic friends deals with human emotions we have all experienced at some time in our lives, while the humorous and clever sketch style starkly illustrates how fragile and vulnerable we can all be.

The audience could identify with the characters; whether it be in the loneliness and disappointment of Charlie Brown, the insecurity of Linus, or the hopelessness of unrequited love that was felt by Sally Brown.

The show burst into life with a jaunty band thumping out a lively ragtime while a colourful assortment of children filled the stage. The main cast of seven performers were talented in all respects. All musical numbers were performed to a high standard with impressively slick choreography.

Conscientious director Bobbie Chatt avoided straying into the realms of oversentimentality, and expertly captured the childlike – but never childish – charm of the piece. Alex Bantin was entertaining as the pretty, but vacuous Sally, who just could not persuade the cerebrally replete Linus to appreciate her female charms. Luke Fetherston, as the neurotic and frail Linus, interplayed well with her. Richard Pugh's Charlie Brown was quietly effective as the downtrodden loser who yearned to find answers to life's big questions.

Playing a dog may have fazed some actors, but Matthew Fowler enjoyed his comic moments, playing Snoopy with a satirical and wry edge. If the rest of the cast were great, Lucy (Emma Southorn) and Woodstock (Michael Andrews) were outstanding. Emma shone as the self-centred and bossy Lucy. Her acerbic wit cut the more gentle characters to pieces and her classy singing was a highlight. Michael Andrews showed what a truly ingenious actor he was with his portrayal of the silent bird. The temptation to over-act and scene-steal would have been irresistible to many, but not to Andrews. His deadpan miming and subtle facial expressions were deftly employed without resorting to Phil Cool-style gurning.

Clever stuff.

Watford Observer

          Previews

West End show calls for auditions

 

Budding musical stars aged between eight and 17 years old and under 5'2” in height are sought to sing, dance and act in a professional production of Snoopy The Musical at auditions on Sunday, June 12 at the Moonglow Studios in Estcourt Road Watford.

Following two recent successes with Fame! and Showstoppers – The Movies, the company behind the event, Brilliant Productions, has scheduled the West End show for September.

Applications for auditions will be accepted from Monday, May 9. All auditionees must register and will be given a time slot between 11am and 7.30pm upon application. For more information, contact Bobbie Chatt at snoopy@brilliantproductions.com or telephone 07977 270788.

Buckinghamshire Examiner

Brilliant coup for company

 

The West End hit Snoopy – The Musical is coming soon to Chesham's Elgiva Theatre, courtesty of Brilliant Productions, a Watford-based company that has had previous successes at the Pump House and with Fame! at Watford's James Theatre .

Bobbie Chatt, Artistic Director of Brilliant Productions, said: “This is without doubt one of the best shows around.” Four of the performers in the show are already acquainted with Watford 's theatres, as well as having had professional parts in shows including Les Miserables and The Wizard of Oz. Snoopy – The Musical is at the Elgiva Theatre from Friday September 9 to Sunday September 11.

Tickets for both matinee and evening performances are available at £12, £10 concessions and £40 for a family tickets. Telephone the Elgiva box office on 01494 582900 for more information.

Watford Observer

Joining The Peanuts Gang

 

Seven talented local children beat off stiff competition to secure a place in what is set to be one of the biggest musicals this year. Nearly 200 young hopefuls, from as far away as the Midlands , auditioned for Snoopy – The Musical, which is to take place at the Elgiva Theatre later this summer. Mia Downs, 15, from Chesham and Amersham-based Sophie Bates, aged eight, will join Samatha Brain, Peter Losasso, Amy Jack, Joshua Barnes and Michael Prokopiou in the star-studded show.

Peter Losasso, 11, of Monks Risborough, was one of the lucky few who won a place in the musical. He says: “I haven't done a musical before so it's going to be a great experience for me. The auditions were quite tough and there were a lot of people so I'm glad I made it through. I play the role of the child in the real world.”

Bobbie Chatt, from Brilliant Productions, the company behind the show whose previous hits include Showstoppers! says: “The standard of youngsters auditioning for us was fantastic; we had some real all-rounders, making the decision very difficult indeed. Our expectations of these youngsters are high because we know they have the talent to do a great job. They will receive some excellent training while working on the show, and enjoy an experience they will no doubt remember for the rest of their lives.”

The professional show which is set to make its debut on stage on September 9 at the Elgiva Theatre will have all the young performers dancing, singing and acting alongside West End performers. They will be under the guidance of local musical director and performer Amanda Hall, who has appeared in shows including Phantom of the Opera and Disney's Beauty and the Beast .

Rehearsals for the show have already started and take place every Sunday and Wednesday. Bobbie adds: “The great thing about Snoopy is that it is such a family show. There is something in it for everyone, adults and kids alike. There are few things around now that you can feel utterly secure about bringing your children to watch, or letting them participate in, but this is certainly one. And of course, everyone loves Snoopy!!”

Snoopy – The Musical will be on at the Elgiva, Chesham, from September 9 to 11. Tickets: 01494 582900.

 

Snoopy musical is one hot dog!

Cinderella will be swapping her glass slippers for baseball boots next week when the Elgiva plays host to the West End hit Snoopy - The Musical! from Friday, September 9 to Sunday, September 11.

Bobbie Chatt, who last year appeared as the title role in the Elgiva's hugely popular pantomime, enjoyed working at the venue so much that she could now wait to return – but in a very different role. In Snoopy – The Musical, Bobbie plays Peppermint Patty, the sports-loving, gum-chewing tomboy whose heart belongs to Charlie Brown. She said: “Patty is a real character, completely useless at school, always saying the wrong thing, but with a heart of gold.”

Snoopy enjoyed a sell-out run in the West End last year and is already proving to be a hit at the Elgiva. Bobbie added: “This is without a doubt one of the best shows around – there is something in it for everyone. The comic strips are classics because a great deal of the humour is quite adult, yet the kids love it too. It's so rare to find something that appeals to everyone on so many different levels.

“Great number follows great number – as soon as you have got your breath back from one, the next one starts! As a performer it is such fun going out on stage in a show you just know that everyone will love.”

With a professional cast of seven adult performers backed up by a top live band and brilliant young performers this is a show not to miss. Bobbie said: “The kids were selected from more than 200 and they have just been wonderful. We are all very proud of them.”

After Snoopy, Bobbie will return to the Elgiva to play the princess in this year's pantomime Aladdin. If you haven't managed to book your tickets yet, then call the box office on 01494 582900 as there are still a few seats left. Tickets are £12 (£10 concessions) with a family ticket at £40.

Estelle Sinkins – Bucks Advertiser

 

Company working for Peanuts

 

Many independent theatre companies are used to working for Peanuts, but the Hertfordshire-based Brilliant Productions have no choice with their latest production, Snoopy. The group, which includes actors and crew from St Albans , is bringing the show to Chesham's Elgiva Theatre from Friday, September 9, to Sunday, September 11.

Producer and performer Bobbie Chatt explained why the show depends upon the camaraderie of the cast. She said: “The characters in the Peanuts comic are a gang of friends who are growing up together. To make this convincing onstage there has to be a certain chemistry among the performers. Emma, who plays Lucy, and I did our first professional job together at the age of 11. Matthew and Alex – Snoopy and Sally – have known each other since they were babies and Michael Andrews, who takes on the role of Woodstock , and I both started in the St Albans Youth Music Theatre.”

All the performers have acted with local societies such as the Regeneration Theatre Company as well as taking on professional roles in shows including Les Miserables, Sweeney Todd and several pantomimes at the Alban Arena.

Bobbie said: “This is without doubt one of the best shows around – there is something in it for everyone. The comic strips are classics, because a great deal of the humour is quite adult, yet the kids love it too. It's so rare to find something that appeals to everyone on so many different levels.”

Brilliant Productions' previous local successes have included the sell-out Showstoppers!, Showstoppers – The Movies and A Grand Night For Singing, all at the Alban Arena. The adult cast are joined by the Brilliant Kids, many from St. Albans , Radlett and Harpenden, who were selected from over 200 by auditions earlier in the year.

Tickets for matinee and evening shows are priced at £12 (£10 conc) with a family ticket at £40. To book, or for more details telephone the box office on 01494 582900.

Snoopy the dogged dog

 

Life is all about Snoopy at the moment for a group of friends from St. Albans . For they will be presenting the West End hit Snoopy – The Musical at Chesham's Elgiva Theatre next weekend., September 9 – 11.

All the adult members of the cast have acted locally with the Regeneration Theatre Company as well as taking part in professional shows including Les Miserables, Sweeney Todd and several pantomimes at the Alban Arena.

Local performer and producer Bobbie Chatt said the show depended on the camaraderie between cast members. She explained: “To make it convincing onstage there has to be a certain chemistry among the performers. Emma Southorn, who plays Lucy, and I, did our first professional job together at the age of 11. Matthew Fowler, who is Snoopy, and Alex Bantin, who plays Sally, have known each other since they were babies. Michael Andrews, who takes the role of Woodstock , and I both started in the St. Albans Youth Music Theatre.”

Michael is now studying at the Webber Douglas Academy in London and has just won its best actor award. The adult cast members are joined by the Brilliant Kids, with many from St. Albans , Radlett and Harpenden who were selected from more than 200 who took part in auditions earlier this year. Snoopy – The Musical runs from the Friday to the Sunday with both matinee and evening performances. Tickets at £12 (concessions £10) and family tickets £40 are available on 01494 582900.

Bobbie the star in great show

 

I am an American living in this country and I love to read your paper every week.

Your critic did a lovely review on Snoopy but I was disappointed that she committed to mention Bobbie Chatt as one of the cast, although she was mentioned as the director of the show.

It was a treat to take my children to see a great show, full of fun – the music was great. We though Miss Chatt stole the show as Peppermint Patty. She is multi-talented – her comedy and facial expressions were hilarious, her singing magical and her dancing wonderful.

The participation of the audience throughout the show was amazing. I met the cast after the show – a thrill for my children. Miss Chatt is a local Watford girl and she not only performed, she produced, directed and staged the whole show – what a talent.

We, the Jenkins family, would like to say thank you Bobbie for all your hard work. Much appreciated, a wonderful, joyous evening. As Oliver would say, please, miss, may we have more?

This show could grace the West End and be very successful. Please give credit to one of our own local girls with a pure talent.

Carrie Ann Jenkins

Wyatts Road, Chorleywood

Watford Observer