Pied Piper comes to Wellsford

The Wellsford Drama Club will present the musical The Pied Piper at the Wellsford Community Centre this month.

A total of 39 children, aged from eight to 17 years, appear in a traditional presentation of Robert Browning’s classic poem, adapted by David Wood.

The producer Carolynne Andrew is no stranger to children’s productions, having produced “seven or eight” previous shows for the club. She likes to introduce children to classic tales and was surprised at the number of those taking part who were unfamiliar with the Pied Piper story.

She was keen to emphasise the “total team effort” that has gone into the production.
“While I may have the vision, and do a lot of arm waving, all sorts of people have been doing wonderful things behind the scenes,” Mrs Andrew said.
She singled out choreographer, 19-year-old Josie Coop, seamstress Catherine Roffey, accompanist Cushla Robertson and co-producer Diane Greenwood, as mainstays of the production.

“I can’t believe the wonderful job that Josie’s done with a bunch of mainly non-dancers, particularly when you see 17-year-old boys doing a jig and Catherine’s a talented seamstress. Cushla, who will be remembered as the lion in the Wizard of Oz, is playing the piano, while her brother Bryce plays the lead.”

The show will run from July 9 to 12, and again from July 16 to 18, with a mix of evening and matinee performances. Tickets: $10 child, $15 adult, available at the door.

Pied Piper Bryce Robertson with rats, from left: Briar Lomas, Olivia McDonald, Sarah Thomas, Vincent Bubbert, Liam Roffey, Briar Woolley, Leah Mainland and Ari Just.