NEWS July 27th 2026
NODA review of Noughties But Nice
Story
Please see below the NODA review of our summer show 'Noughties But Nice'. The review is by Judith Watsham (Regional Representative NODA London District 11 and 11A)
Thank you for inviting me along to this one and for the warm welcome I received from Nigel, Ceri and the front of house team. Also, for your hospitality. It is always nice to sit at tables, especially for this type of cabaret event. I was also very pleased to have the opportunity to talk to your talented Director/Compiler/Performer Tom Everitt – thank you Tom for remembering that I have commented before when faced with this type of show that I did not know who performed which songs/sketches/video clips. Your extra sheets were invaluable when it came to writing this report as I could tick all my favourite moments, and there are a lot of ticks on the sheet!
I have always enjoyed these delightfully irreverent and nostalgic programmes, featuring, as they do, the pop music, fashion, TV shows and adverts from a specific decade, accompanied by your live band on stage as they are extremely entertaining, light-hearted and very amusing. I think you could easily go back and reprise the earlier ones – did you do a ‘50’s one? I know I missed the ‘60’s but have seen all the others. Otherwise, I look forward to the ‘teens in due course.
I must congratulate Gill Fox and Tish Marshall on overseeing the costumes of the decade as well as the excellent lighting from Lexy Sparkes and Tom Sims. Sound in the very capable hands of Peter Humfryes and Jack Comerford ensured that the vocals and the instrumental backing reached the audience in a very well balanced manner!
The opening warning about the so called ‘Millennium Bug’ brought it all back, how the doomsters predicted failure of every ‘tech’ device from planes which we were told would fall from the sky at one minute past midnight to businesses, shops, banks all grinding to a halt. Yes, I was there, yes, I ignored it all as I could not see any of it happening, and judging by the laughter from the audience most of them remembered it all too. This clip put the audience into a really receptive mood and the rest of the programme was greeted with great enthusiasm and laughter.
This type of show also gives the opportunity for the majority of the cast to sing solo lines in the songs of the decade as well as acting in all the spoof take offs and adverts, whether filmed and shown on the large screen or acted on stage. I particularly loved ‘Lane End on a Budget’ film hits. Nearly all of you appeared in the various witty sketches, ads and takes on popular film and TV shows of the Noughties. I was particularly pleased to see some youngsters on stage in an adult show, you are the future of Am Dram and I do hope you continue to perform as well as you did on this occasion.
Apart from any items mentioned above I just want to say that I particularly liked the sketches ‘Brain Surgery’, ‘Am I Bovvered’, ‘Phobias Workshop’, ‘Computer Says No’, ‘Do Kids Know the Noughties’, which featured Nigel Bacon, Ray Brennan, Leigh Drury, Martin Robinson, Victoria Marks, Holly Haynes, Tom Everitt, Kate Tysoe, Alison Hartnett, James Hackett, Jassie Mortimer, Waheeda Jafferali, Grace Marks and Scarlett Drury.
The best video clips, for me, were Alison Hartnett as ‘Nigella’ and ‘Harry Potter’ with Scarlett Drury, Grace Marks, and assorted cast members in terrible ginger wigs! BUT every single one of the filmed interludes was so well conceived and performed by all of you.
Top songs, again a personal choice, were: It’s My Life featuring Dave Bowden on guitar, Feel, David Harnett, Hey There Delilah with Tom Everitt, Lucy Russell and Nigel Bacon on guitar. The big group numbers topping and tailing each half were very well performed by everyone. It is also worth remarking that I especially noticed how all of you smiled confidently at the audience. Nearly thirty of you, including the band, crammed on to your small stage on a warm evening and you managed to look happy! Doesn’t always happen like that in Am Dram believe me!
I know that Lane End Players major with plays and pantomimes, making an occasional foray into musicals, but you really should consider another full-blown musical some time. You certainly have the musical talent, apart from your small band you have several really excellent singers – it would be invidious to mention individual names in what was, on this occasion, a real team effort but several of your soloists displayed considerable vocal talent.
Every single one of you on stage gave it your all on a hot night, none of you flagged. Another example of the immense talent available to Lane End Players.
Now, onwards to very different shows! Firstly, The Witches, then to your eagerly awaited annual pantomime. I wish you well with all your rehearsals and I am looking forward to seeing them.
Thank you for inviting me along to this one and for the warm welcome I received from Nigel, Ceri and the front of house team. Also, for your hospitality. It is always nice to sit at tables, especially for this type of cabaret event. I was also very pleased to have the opportunity to talk to your talented Director/Compiler/Performer Tom Everitt – thank you Tom for remembering that I have commented before when faced with this type of show that I did not know who performed which songs/sketches/video clips. Your extra sheets were invaluable when it came to writing this report as I could tick all my favourite moments, and there are a lot of ticks on the sheet!
I have always enjoyed these delightfully irreverent and nostalgic programmes, featuring, as they do, the pop music, fashion, TV shows and adverts from a specific decade, accompanied by your live band on stage as they are extremely entertaining, light-hearted and very amusing. I think you could easily go back and reprise the earlier ones – did you do a ‘50’s one? I know I missed the ‘60’s but have seen all the others. Otherwise, I look forward to the ‘teens in due course.
I must congratulate Gill Fox and Tish Marshall on overseeing the costumes of the decade as well as the excellent lighting from Lexy Sparkes and Tom Sims. Sound in the very capable hands of Peter Humfryes and Jack Comerford ensured that the vocals and the instrumental backing reached the audience in a very well balanced manner!
The opening warning about the so called ‘Millennium Bug’ brought it all back, how the doomsters predicted failure of every ‘tech’ device from planes which we were told would fall from the sky at one minute past midnight to businesses, shops, banks all grinding to a halt. Yes, I was there, yes, I ignored it all as I could not see any of it happening, and judging by the laughter from the audience most of them remembered it all too. This clip put the audience into a really receptive mood and the rest of the programme was greeted with great enthusiasm and laughter.
This type of show also gives the opportunity for the majority of the cast to sing solo lines in the songs of the decade as well as acting in all the spoof take offs and adverts, whether filmed and shown on the large screen or acted on stage. I particularly loved ‘Lane End on a Budget’ film hits. Nearly all of you appeared in the various witty sketches, ads and takes on popular film and TV shows of the Noughties. I was particularly pleased to see some youngsters on stage in an adult show, you are the future of Am Dram and I do hope you continue to perform as well as you did on this occasion.
Apart from any items mentioned above I just want to say that I particularly liked the sketches ‘Brain Surgery’, ‘Am I Bovvered’, ‘Phobias Workshop’, ‘Computer Says No’, ‘Do Kids Know the Noughties’, which featured Nigel Bacon, Ray Brennan, Leigh Drury, Martin Robinson, Victoria Marks, Holly Haynes, Tom Everitt, Kate Tysoe, Alison Hartnett, James Hackett, Jassie Mortimer, Waheeda Jafferali, Grace Marks and Scarlett Drury.
The best video clips, for me, were Alison Hartnett as ‘Nigella’ and ‘Harry Potter’ with Scarlett Drury, Grace Marks, and assorted cast members in terrible ginger wigs! BUT every single one of the filmed interludes was so well conceived and performed by all of you.
Top songs, again a personal choice, were: It’s My Life featuring Dave Bowden on guitar, Feel, David Harnett, Hey There Delilah with Tom Everitt, Lucy Russell and Nigel Bacon on guitar. The big group numbers topping and tailing each half were very well performed by everyone. It is also worth remarking that I especially noticed how all of you smiled confidently at the audience. Nearly thirty of you, including the band, crammed on to your small stage on a warm evening and you managed to look happy! Doesn’t always happen like that in Am Dram believe me!
I know that Lane End Players major with plays and pantomimes, making an occasional foray into musicals, but you really should consider another full-blown musical some time. You certainly have the musical talent, apart from your small band you have several really excellent singers – it would be invidious to mention individual names in what was, on this occasion, a real team effort but several of your soloists displayed considerable vocal talent.
Every single one of you on stage gave it your all on a hot night, none of you flagged. Another example of the immense talent available to Lane End Players.
Now, onwards to very different shows! Firstly, The Witches, then to your eagerly awaited annual pantomime. I wish you well with all your rehearsals and I am looking forward to seeing them.