SEEND Fawlty Players returned to the stage last month for their 42nd village pantomime, Little Red Riding Hood.
“There was no Fawlty pantomime in 2021, for obvious reasons, so Seend Fawlty Players were delighted to be able to stage ‘Little Red Riding Hood’ in Seend Community Centre this year and their return was warmly greeted by the audience (including regular attenders from Surrey and Devon),” say the group of entertainers.
“Some jokes were made about the heroine being ‘old beyond her years’ as Jackie Hamblin, who played Red Riding Hood, actually became a grandmother recently. However, she played the part with all the naivety and fun of youth.
“Len Murray excelled as a suave and smooth wicked wolf, whose plans were foiled by a motley crew of Melksham Forest dwellers, which included Little Bo-Beep (Stacey Vaux, who sang a couple of solos beautifully), her two lively sheep (Mel Collinge-Cubberley and Tom Butter), three pigs (splendid teamwork from Peter Wallis, Dan Payne and Toby Wallis), Red Riding Hood’s mother and brother (Paula Mansergh and Matt Bridges), two wandering minstrels (Dave and Jan Field) and a camel fleeing global warming (Tessa Doe and Anita Shea, who were also the scriptwriters). John Jameson-Davis played Red Riding Hood’s grandmother in true over-the-top pantomime-dame fashion.
“It was a small cast, so much was demanded of them and they all rose to the challenge with gusto, giving Seend residents and visitors a thoroughly enjoyable evening.
“Deryn Stafford played the piano, and props, scenery make-up and stage crew were Colin Waldeck, Dave Field, Sam Chard, Alan Bryer, Tess Conboy and members of the cast. Lighting was by Paul Seemayer and Anita Shea created the costumes as well as directing.
“Proceeds from the show will go to Seend Community Centre, and the Centre, while Seend School and Seend Playgroup each ran a raffle in aid of their own funds.”
