Drama group hails panto ‘biggest success’

A drama group in Seend performed their 46th village pantomime to their biggest ever audiences recently, raising £1,400 for Dorothy House Hospice Care.

Seend Fawlty Players performed Cinderella at the Seend Centre last month and have donated the proceeds to Dorothy House Hospice with a special cheque presentation earlier this month.

A member of the group, Tessa Doe said, “Raising £1,400 is the largest amount of money we have been able to give away yet, thanks to three full houses. The Seend Centre was packed on all three nights. Audiences enjoyed a fun-filled show that got them shouting ‘Oh no it isn’t’ and ‘It’s behind you!’ at the highest volume.

“Rebecca Thomas was a delightful Cinderella, in her Fawlty Players’ debut performance. The two ugly sisters, Stacey Vaux and Mel Collinge-Cubberley, relished their chance to be comically evil in suitably outrageous costumes. John Jameson-Davis as Baron Worthwads ‘Beer Magnate extraordinaire’ and Len Murray as his gold-digging new wife were an inspired pairing.

“Sam Garner, as an unusually blokey Prince Charming, got the audience onside, aided and abetted by Jackie Hamblin as his friend Dandini. Dan Payne was a cheeky Buttons and Pete Wallis made the most of his role as hippy-ish Fairy Godfather. Anita Shea played the ubiquitous Bob, turning up in different guises throughout, and Sarah Clover as lazy housekeeper and Tessa Doe as gardener and pumpkin grower successfully completed the Baron’s household.

“Jan Field, who doubled as one of the musicians at the folksy ball along with husband Dave, played Mother Rat, with Harley-Ray Corbett, Louie Goodier and Harrison Corbett as her disruptive sons.

“Nicolas Johnson was the piano accompanist. Jackie and Nathan Hamblin, James Jones, Colin Waldeck and Dave Field were responsible for the splendid scenery and props.”

Lighting was by Paul Seemayer and Anne Ewing, the team ran front of house, and Jo Waldeck and Tom Redman handled the box office. Anita Shea, Dan Payne and Tessa Doe wrote the script.