MADCAPS: Welcome Home, It’s Good to be Back

Cast members Ruby, Daisy and Lola McCartney. Photo: John Kennedy

“That was a blast!” said one very happy audience member at the conclusion of the MADCAPS show on Saturday night.  The signature tune, Hello, Hello It’s Good to be Back,” composed by Shayne Cater, could just as easily have been titled, Hello, Hello We’re Glad  You’re Back. There were three full houses and from feedback, a good natured, supportive and diverse audience for each.  Shayne Cater and the cast should be very pleased.

This was Shayne’s first foray into producing and directing. “I am really a band man, it was my band (Short Circuit) providing the backing for the shows”. But someone had to be producer. No producer, no show.  Fortunately people turned up to audition.  Shayne did wonder about this with MADCAPS having been in recess for two years. The McCartney sisters were an impressive young trio –a reflection of their talented parents, Jody and David, who were in the cast too.

Using the renovated Town Hall and Waihinga Community Centre as a theme, Shayne hung the production on four acts – The Hall, The Library, The Butchers Shop and Finale. Songs, Dancing, Skits, Storytelling and Poetry were the vehicles to bring the show to the audience.

It opened with a spirited Martinborough School Kapa Haka group. It was good to see our primary school participating.

The continuity banter and numbers like We Built this City, indicated that MADCAPs love the Hall, performing in it, and enjoy their significant role in bringing the community together.  Dave Harris, far from being a self- described “back country ignoramus” was an entertaining storyteller in the style of the Me and Gus yarns by Frank S. Anthony.  He related what having a town hall meant to him as a young shepherd and other youngsters – a place for them to gather and enjoy whatever activity was on offer.  It was where he met his future wife at a dance. He said it was good the Hall is still here to bring the community together. Other stories were tales of his very amusing escapades on the farm.

A bit of borax was poked at the Library which seemed to have morphed into some kind of space for homeless organisations – café, information centre, Plunket, Toy Library…Scottie the Butcher is looking for new premises. It was suggested he would not look out of place if he relocated to the Library. Scottie seemed keen; his antics brought the house down. 

The Finale was a bracket of well- known melodies – Bethany Patten drew huge applause for her rendition of Royals. Even so, the cast were uniformly engaging with their performances ably backed by the Band with some catchy percussion work by John Mills. 

Shaun Mcgillicuddy was honoured with life membership recognising 35 years of service to MADCAPs.        

Book early for this evening of entertainment and fun;  MADCAPS 2020.             Winifred Bull