Jenny Beare and Shazz Andrew have known each other for over 31 years and share fond memories from their time at the Foundation Theater, an offshoot of the Cornwall Youth Theater. They reflect on their roles in the play “Famous Five,” a production that combined ensemble theater with masks. Shazz played Aunt Rosie and Mrs. White, while Jenny took on the role of George, the tomboy from the Famous Five books.
The conversation is filled with humor as they recall a few memorable incidents during their performances. Shazz tells a funny story about her co-actor, Harry Pearce, who, while wearing his mask, lost his footing and accidentally fell off the City Hall stage during a performance. Fortunately, Shazz quickly found him and helped him back onstage, much to the audience’s delight, leading to an impromptu round of applause. Jenny shares another amusing moment, where she couldn’t contain her laughter during a scene with Timmy the dog, played by John Picton. When the dog slipped but still managed to point as directed, Jenny burst into uncontrollable laughter, causing a delay in the scene.
The pair also fondly recall the audience’s reactions, particularly a French family that enjoyed their performances so much that they followed them across Cornwall. Jenny and Shazz express their gratitude to the family for their support, reflecting on how rewarding it was to connect with people through their performances.
Their stories not only showcase the joy and camaraderie of theater but also highlight the lasting impact that those early experiences in the Foundation Theater had on their lives.
