The Ice Wolf Cometh

Posted on 9th January 2024

MISS MIMPLE MEETS THE ICE WOLF – Common Ground Theatre Company

Ushering in the New Year in the company of Common Ground Theatre has become something of tradition in the last few years, and one shared by much of Diss, judging by the packed house greeting Miss Mimple meets the Ice Wolf, in the first to two performances of their annual whimsy.

While Common Ground are more than capable of producing fine adaptations of classic texts, the January show is always an original tale of unrelenting silliness. In previous years we’ve borne witness to Homicidal Nuns, Vampiric detection and revolutionary bats. This year it was the turn of the werewolf – or the Ice Wolf to more properly describe it – doing battle with the indomitable Miss Wimple. Fond memories of the closing act of Crackerjack sprung to mind, as a mix of songs, Dad Jokes and general mayhem brought to life a frenetic performance that unapologetically teetered close to utter lunacy, before breaking into surprisingly melodic refrain. Julian Harries provides his usual manic contribution, with more than a touch of Doctor Moreau in his deranged Von Touzel,  while Emily Bennet makes a welcome return as the eponymous heroine. They are ably supported by Bewlay Dean-Stanton and Marcus Churchill. Both may be less familiar to Common Ground’s regular audience, but seem to have settled in very nicely, offering up just the right level of hysterical madness that we’ve come to expect.

The production is enlivened by some delightful miniature, as well as some scene stealing set construction from Mark Sterling.  Last, but certainly not least, we shouldn’t forget that director Pat Whymark not only writes the script, but composes the songs too, all of which are well served by actors that are also talented musicians and singers. The mind boggles as to what she’ll come up with next year, but it will assuredly be worth the wait.