Our story begins. . . . . . . .
Once upon a time, many years ago (well, in 1994), Gladys Rose had a pantomime script of Aladdin written in rhyme, which she wanted to stage. Mike Peacock was asked to produce the panto but he felt he lacked experience so asked my husband, Paul – a keen amateur actor who had acted with Combined Actors, Pied Pipers, The Lindon Players and an earlier group in Croydon called The Magdalen Players. He had no money to mount the show but everyone pulled together and helped. Haddenham Drama Group lent us a backdrop and Aladdin’s lamp. Albert Ware of the Paint Shop in Littleport loaned trellising, which covered with black bin bags and flowers from Grenville Goodson became scenery. Percy Coulson, Chairman of the Village Hall and Reg Jones, Caretaker, put up cardboard at the windows to keep out the light.
The show was put on in the Village Hall in March 1995. We had rehearsals in the Methodist Church and St George’s Parish Room. The Samara Ballet Dancers performed and colleagues of Paul – Frances & Nigel Smith played keyboard and drums and arranged the musical numbers. The Day Centre committee ladies served refreshments.
The show was a great success and the group has grown to the size and success it is today. Paul died suddenly in December 1995 whilst rehearsals for Cinderella were going on. Eric Stannard was able to take over and the next pantomime went ahead. I have been Front of House and Treasurer since the beginning and together with several ladies from the WI, have organised the raffles each time.
The Littleport Players account with Lloyds Bank was opened with an amount of £500 in April 1995. This must have been left after all the show expenses were paid.
Dorothy Allingham
Once upon a time, many years ago (well, in 1994), Gladys Rose had a pantomime script of Aladdin written in rhyme, which she wanted to stage. Mike Peacock was asked to produce the panto but he felt he lacked experience so asked my husband, Paul – a keen amateur actor who had acted with Combined Actors, Pied Pipers, The Lindon Players and an earlier group in Croydon called The Magdalen Players. He had no money to mount the show but everyone pulled together and helped. Haddenham Drama Group lent us a backdrop and Aladdin’s lamp. Albert Ware of the Paint Shop in Littleport loaned trellising, which covered with black bin bags and flowers from Grenville Goodson became scenery. Percy Coulson, Chairman of the Village Hall and Reg Jones, Caretaker, put up cardboard at the windows to keep out the light.
The show was put on in the Village Hall in March 1995. We had rehearsals in the Methodist Church and St George’s Parish Room. The Samara Ballet Dancers performed and colleagues of Paul – Frances & Nigel Smith played keyboard and drums and arranged the musical numbers. The Day Centre committee ladies served refreshments.
The show was a great success and the group has grown to the size and success it is today. Paul died suddenly in December 1995 whilst rehearsals for Cinderella were going on. Eric Stannard was able to take over and the next pantomime went ahead. I have been Front of House and Treasurer since the beginning and together with several ladies from the WI, have organised the raffles each time.
The Littleport Players account with Lloyds Bank was opened with an amount of £500 in April 1995. This must have been left after all the show expenses were paid.
Dorothy Allingham