IN the 1937 movie Thoroughbreds Don't Cry starring Judy Garland with Mickey Rooney there is the famous line which states, "let's put on the show right here!"
While this might not have been part of the inspiration pot for Wassail Theatre and Reveal Productions, when they came up with The Somerset Charabanc, it certainly has its roots in this famous showbusiness phrase.
The link between the two is in the film they decided to "let's put on the show right here!" in a barn while Wassail Theatre would have said "let's put on the show right here!" on a Charabanc.
This moving perambulation of a Somerset Charabanc was an interesting location to stage the action.
It unfolds onboard, on the road and in the streets, as the audience are moved through villages and across the Somerset Levels.
The Somerset Charabanc is a very special tour because Sam and Evie are getting married.
They only met yesterday but fell instantly head over heels in love.
As they find out what new-found love means, a ghost from the past comes out from the shadows. This is a romance with a difference as it takes place on Eelie Day.
A myth which bonds the play together and links the characters The main cast in order of appearance are Pete (Nick White), Sam (Duncan Taylor), Evie (Roxana Bartle), Alice (Sarah Mooney).
There are additional actors but to say anymore would spoil the surprise of what they do and when they appear.
It is an interesting concept to have a play performed inches in front of your nose and to be invited on and off the Charabanc to watch the action and be part of the play.
You haven't got to imagine where the play is set, you are in it, it is passing you by as you travel along, you are part of it, you can touch it and smell it.
The silence between the words are filled with the clip, clop, clip,clop, clip,clop of the horses pulling the Charabanc along.
It is very evocative as if you close your eyes it sounds like a recording but when you open them it is very real.
Nick White, Director of Wassail Theatre who wrote the play said: "What the Charabanc will provided is an element of the unexpected and we hope the audiences who come along are spellbound by the magic and go away feeling they have a real connection with Somerset."
And this is was exactly the feeling I got when I left the Charabanc.
The play has been made possible public funding from the National Lottery through Arts Council England & the Big Lottery Fund, and South Somerset District Council.
Tickets cost £10 for adults, £5 under 16.
You can book online at wassailtheatre.brownpapertickets.com or call 01935 509706.
The final performances are on Friday, September 15 at 6pm, and at 11am and 2.30pm on September 16 and September 17.
Further details online at wassailtheatre.co.uk
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