'Old King Cole’ under way

Press, Volume CXVI, Issue 34127, 13 April 1976, Page 24

' Old King Cole ’ under way

Rehearsals are in full swing for "Old King Cole," the May production of the Canterbury Children’s Theatre. All principal roles have now been cast. A newcomer in the cast is Annete Houston, a seventh former from Papanui High School. She will play Princess Daphne Cole, her first major stage role. In the parts of Old King Cole and Old Queen Cole

are Alex Lojkine, who started his theatre career with foreign-language plays in Canberra, and Gladys Thin, who is well known for her work with Elmwood Players. Cyril the Fiddler is played by Donal Swift, and Baron Wadd, the one with the weedy legs, by Gary Johnston. Both of these actors have had experience with other drama groups in Christchurch.

John Vaughan, who is the Commentator, is having a change of pace after his last part with the children’s theatre. Last year he was the front half of Blossom, the pantomime cow in “Jack and the Beanstalk,” and he was required to move with some agility, and to moo on cue. In “Old King Cole” he has many lines to learn, and has to give breathless and entertaining commentaries on such things as an egg and spoon race, an archery contest, and a boxing match. The characters who handle much of the fast-paced comedy are Faz and Twoo, played by lan Beswick and Grant Edgar. A few vacancies remain for men and women to take non-speaking parts as courtiers and spectators. “Old King Cole” will be performed in the Repertory Theatre from May 14 to May 22. Neta Neale, emerging from retirement, is producing, and Les Taylor has designed the sets.