'Incredible vanishings’
In social studies you have learned about the difficulties faced by the early settlers of Canterbury. Not the least of them was the swampy land on which Christchurch was sited.
But few, except members of the Canterbury Children’s Theatre, have heard of the mischievous marsh goblins and their incorrigible ruler, Her Marshesty, in the kingdom of the swamp underworld of our fair city. The accompanying picture shows some of these strange long-eared creatures in one of their acts of wickedness. You will know more about them after you have seen the play, “Tire Incredible Vanishing,” which opens on Thursday, May 1, at the Repertory Theatre. The stage setting is
Cathedral Square during a quiet part .of the day. A keen policeman (P.C. Parker) stops for a chat with a barrow boy (Bert Sparky). They are joined by two meter maids (Jenny Jones and Lulu Maguire). Lulu does not stay for long because she enjoys her work writing tickets for drivers who leave their cars too long at the parking meters. Jenny is not a very good meter maid because she is too kind-hearted. She stays in the Square, and by doing so stumbles into an exciting adventure. Although it seems to be just like any other day, strange things keep happening, and Sparky is uneasy for a number of reasons. A newspaper has reported hundreds of children missing from the
Square in mysterious circumstances. More “incredible vanishings” follow, as well as lots of excitement and fun before the mystery is solved. When you go to the Repertory Theatre you will be given a paper with a red spot printed on it. The “Red spot” is most important and you will be asked to use it to help P.C. Parker recover the lost children and rescue Jenny, the pretty meter maid. “The Incredible Vanishing” was written by Denise Coffey and performed in London in 1973. The Canterbury Children’s Theatre has adapted the play to the Christchurch scene, and it will be performed for you at the Repertory Theatre between May 7 and May 17.
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Bibliographic details
Press, 6 May 1980, Page 22
Word Count
345'Incredible vanishings’ Press, 6 May 1980, Page 22
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