Jane Hamlyn grand dame of pantomime, theatre and singing groups
On leaving school, Jane became an art trainee at the Crown film company; a government organisation specialising in the making of documentaries. She spent four happy years there until its closure and told me that she was thrilled to be appointed assistant to Lotte Reineger for her last two years. Lotte was a pioneer of silhouette cartoon film making; a process which involved much cutting of shapes and sophisticated lighting to achieve animation.
Jane’s theatre credentials are impressive. From small beginnings in a production of ‘The Pirates of Penzance’ when she was given one line, she progressed to becoming a member of ‘The Thespians’ drama company. In 1960 her talent was spotted and she was coached by the professionals who told her that she had ‘stage presence’. She was given lead roles and during the company’s involvement in nationwide 1-Act festivals, Jane was named ‘best actress’ three times.
Jane married but, tragically, was widowed and with small children to support, she took a job as a school secretary. It was during this time that she thought she might have an aptitude for teaching and completed a teacher training course as a mature student. Later, as a result of a conversation she overheard, she turned up at a meeting about enrolment on an London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art course, little realising that the people there had been hand-picked as students. She so impressed the selectors with her talent that she had no difficulty in gaining a place on the course. She qualified as an Honours graduate to teach speech and drama, and taught English to middle school children and thence to Amesbury boys’ prep school, where she spent many happy years teaching and directing drama productions.
Her reputation quickly spread when she moved to Bere Ferrers and she immediately took on the mantle of director for the village pantomime together with Music Hall events. ‘Cinderella’ (in January), will be her fourth production. She will deal with all the usual anxieties that surround pantos: whether it will actually happen (Oh yes it will!), who will help with all the back-stage work, costumes, advertising, casting the roles, rehearsals and ticket sales. Jane’s experience and delight in working with children means that she is always keen to recruit youngsters for her shows, so Cinderella is sure to have lots of little helpers.
All this on top of being a member of five singing groups and a local am dram society! Jane has a fine voice and she and her fellow choristers perform at venues such as Cotehele House.
‘I sometimes think I should slow down’, she told me. There seems little chance of that.
‘Cinderella’ will be performed in Bere Ferrers Church Hall on 21st, 22nd and 23rd January 2015 with two performances on 23rd January. Details and tickets available from Margaret Willmott on 01822 840380.