The Saints reveal the magic of books!
The Enchanted Bookshop by Tedd Wallinger, performed by The Saints Drama group at Allesley Village Hall, Coventry from 19 - 22 February 2025. Directed by Lauren Wilson and Jamie Peake.
Review by Ann Evans
Half term week has to be the ideal time to treat the younger members of the family to a trip to the theatre – and for those more used to the big theatres and productions, why not experience some home grown community theatricals at the village hall for a change?
The Saints Drama Group based at Allesley Village Hall have been staging every type of play imaginable over the years since they began in 1959. Their latest production, The Enchanted Bookshop written by Tedd Wallinger and directed by Lauren Wilson and Jamie Peake is one for the kids although the adults found plenty to enjoy too.
It’s the simple story of Margie’s bookshop – with Margie played brilliantly by Michelle Williams, which is on the verge of closing down as no one comes in to buy books any more. So, without people bringing the characters to life through reading books, the characters have come to life all by themselves (well, with a little help from the Book Fairy) and are magically and secretly inhabiting Margie’s Enchanted Bookshop.
With bags full of character herself, Margie adores books and understands their importance so deeply it’s as if each book is her very own baby, so when she gets unwittingly involved in a diamond necklace theft, and rogues Morgan (Jason Riley) and Eddie (Geoff Manns) come searching for the diamonds, poor Margie has the harrowing task of trying to protect her book babies.
Eddie and Morgan make a really entertaining double act as two clueless villains who set about looking for the diamonds known to be hidden inside a particular book. And convinced that Margie knows more than she’s letting on, they put pressure on her as to which book holds the clue. Funny though the scene was, I felt that the intimidation by the villains was just a bit too menacing for the type of play that it was.
That aside, we are introduced to lots of book characters such as Sherlock Holmes played by Jamie Peake; Robin Hood played by Adam Berger-Bloch and Maid Marian played by Ava-Simone Tasker, who also takes on the role of sullen, book-hating teenager, Harriet, handling both roles with confidence and enthusiasm.
Fagin (Paul Bovey) from Oliver Twist sneaks in to cause trouble, Wendy Darling (Charlotte Ellingham) from Peter Pan is her helpful best and Dr. Dolittle (Gareth Twynham) demonstrates how to talk to a toy cat! Also taking on double roles are Sue Morris who plays Beatrix, the teenager’s mum and the voice of the Book Fairy and Paul Hayes who plays a police officer and the teenager’s granddad.
Whilst The Enchanted Bookshop isn’t a pantomime, by the second half it becomes clear that audience participation is welcomed. In the first half the audience (as we’re expected to do) sits quietly, laughing but not shouting out as you would in a panto. In retrospect it must be difficult for the younger characters such as Robin Hood and Wendy Darling to have the confidence to speak directly to the audience, so a shout out to the more experienced members of the cast to let the audience know their voices need to be heard!
That aside, the message of The Enchanted Bookshop comes across loud and clear that books are massively important and we need them in our life. I certainly wouldn't argue with that!
Hats off to all the cast and crew with a special ‘well done’ to the sound technicians for providing some entertaining and well-timed sound effects throughout! And of course the set designers and makers for the delightful book shop setting, they must certainly have put in some hours in covering and making all those books!
The Saints always support local charities with their raffles, and in tune with the theme of this play, donations from the raffle ticket sales will be going to The Book Trust.
For tickets to this fun production, please go to: https://www.saintsdramacoventry.org/
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