Cannock Soroptimists held their annual International Evening recently- the event when they celebrate the international aspect of Soroptimist International, lighting candles for the members and clubs in all 5 of the Federations: South East Asia Pacific, the Americas, Africa, Europe, and Great Britain and Ireland.
Members, family and friends met at the Barns to enjoy a meal in each others’ company and were entertained by their speaker, actor Jennifer Rigby, introduced by President Carole Holdcroft.
Jen told them she had spent some time considering what she might present for this special evening; her thinking started with Saturday night family TV when she was a child and she reminded us of the many shows we had all enjoyed. Amongst the best remembered are the comedy shows, many of which have an international reach. This reminded her of the importance of fun and laughter and Jen’s aim for the evening was to bring some of that to everyone there. She talked of some of this country’s wonderful female writers and presenters who have gained fame internationally- and she performed some of their most famous monologues and pieces, beginning with Joyce Grenfell. Possibly the most well known are her Nursery Monologues – who can ever forget ‘George, Don’t do that…..’ but for this occasion she chose her piece ‘Travel Broadens the Mind’ delivered in a super American accent. Her anecdotes led her to the brilliant Victoria Wood – she treated us to several well-known moments – and poet Pam Ayres, bringing lots of laughter when she presented ‘They Should Have Asked My Husband’.
Her final monologue, although not written by a woman, is certainly known far afield – a fabulous rendition of Marriott Edgar’s ‘Albert and the Lion’ with a wonderfully fast change of hats for the various characters. This ensured that the evening ended with lots of smiles and laughter – mission accomplished!
Photo below: Carole Holdcroft, President SI Cannock & District with speaker Jennifer Rigby wearing two of the hats from ‘Albert & the Lion’
