A UNIQUE production 'Oh What a Pantomime!' by the Peninsula Players was held in Bere Alston's parish hall recenty. Pamela Green, author and director, had taken the kernel of an idea and transformed it — the script was clever in its simplicity. It aimed to show the audience how a pantomime is produced from start to finish, from auditions 'I want to be a star' and 'I want the money' through to rehearsals with all the trials, tribulations and backbiting involved, to the final nights of performance when all is revealed. This production consisted mainly of young children, with some talented experienced young actors ably taking adult roles, namely Richard Brindley and Lazlo Beesley, who also doubled as choreographers, and Jonathan Brindley. With such a young cast, several weeks of dedicated work must have been needed to perfect the rehearsal of the rehearsals. As a rousing finale the entire cast sang the traditional 'There's no business like show business'. A smart idea which succeeded. Pamela Green is to be congratulated — from little acorns great oaks do grow. This ambitious pantomime certainly bodes well for future productions. Sincere thanks were expressed to local businesses, without whose support the production would not have been possible, namely Roger Backaller, Joanne Cooper, Ray Piper, Norman Brindley, Peter Churcher, J A N Brown and Angela Banfield. The production team were: Producer and director, Pamela Green; keyboard, Ben Kingwell; Flute, Aaron Taylor; prompt, Judy Brindley; caller, Andrew Alcock; Costumes, Pamela Green; make-up, Wendy Kingwell; lighting, Steve Jackson; sound, Tom Chapple; choreography, Richard Brindley and Lazlo Beesley; scenery, Joanne Cooper; backstage crew, Ray Piper, Tom Chapple, Paul Willmott and Paul Graeme-Drury; publicity, Emma Kingwell; Front of house, parents of cast; raffle, Ann Wheeler and Beryl Mills; props, Wendy and Emma Kingwell, plus Ray Piper and Aaron Taylor; music, F Palmer; refreshments, Beryl Mills and friends. Cast: Phoebe, Holly Pidgeon; Mum, Helen Alcock; Peg, Lazlo Beesley plus Dad, postman and Amir. Amedand HPT, Richard Brindley; Molly, Emma Kingwell; Stan, Ben Alcock; Miss Trotter, Jan Sly; synchronised sister, lavender girl and actor, Beth Holmes; synchronised sister and actor, Danielle Gatcum; synchronised sister, actor, Georgina Hiles; Edward and Dandini, Jonathan Brindley; Prince Charming, Natasha Jackson; Greta Garbage, Jane and Judge, Wendy Kingwell; Sophie and Merry Widow Twankey, Naomi Holliday; Lanky Twankey, actor and Mustafe, Tom Keene; Frankie Twanky, Dwarf, Mike Coomber; Monty Actor, Rowan Graeme-Drury; Monty Actor, Lilly Payne; Monty Actor, Lara Nunn; shouting girl and receptionist, Natalie Pidgeon; shouting girl's mum and actor, Georgia Rolls; Anna Key and actor, Kayleigh Gatcum; The Pied Piper, Aaron Taylor; Knight and actor, Erik Lindsay; Actor, Jasmine Barrowman; Actor, Stephen Kirby; Actor, Finn Holmes; Actor, Rowan Holmes.
