Actor Alec Fellows-Bennett takes on sinister role of Emcee in Sidmouth Musical Comedy Society’s Cabaret

IN the past few months Sidmouth’s Manor Pavilion Theatre has seen local actor Alec Fellows-Bennett take on two very different roles.

He was Milo in Anthony Shaffer’s Sleuth, a wife-stealing Italian with some psychotic tendencies, performed with James Pellow for Idle Theme Theatre Company, and all singing, all dancing, Arthur Kipps in Sidmouth Arts Club’s production of Half a Sixpence, a part made famous by Tommy Steele.

Now Alec is about to take on the most peculiar and possibly outrageous part yet when he appears as the sinister figure of the Emcee in Sidmouth Musical Comedy Society’s Cabaret.

This omnipotent character leads the audience through the story and personifies all that was so wonderful and free about 1930s Berlin and all that the Nazis were opposed to.

This is the first time Cabaret has appeared at the Sidmouth theatre as it is notoriously difficult to obtain a performing licence, making it rarely seen outside of London.

This will be Alec’s first performance with SMCS and is possibly his last on the Manor Pavilion stage for some while as he has just secured a two-year placement with the prestigious Bristol Old Vic Company.

He will leave at the end of September, after directing his last piece for the theatre – a rip-roaring production of Gilbert and Sullivan’s Iolanthe.

Cabaret runs from June 8 to 11 at the Manor Pavilion Theatre, with performances starting at 8pm and a 2.30pm Saturday matin�e.

Tickets are �12, available from the theatre box office (01395) 514413.