ANYONE not able to go to Cheriton Fitzpaine Drama Club's performance of Sinbad the Sailor last month missed an hilarious evening.

Sinbad had all the ingredients for a traditional panto - Principal Boy played handsomely by Deborah Leighton Plom meets lovely lady - Alice Lomas, while Andrew Dean was the Exuberant Dame - Semolina, the ship's cook, colourfully attired in outrageous outfits.

More comic interest was provided by Tinbad the Sail Maker - Malcolm Yeates and Beverley Parr, the Ship's Bosun. Dignified Lewis Woolacott was the Caliph of Constantinople, who was engaged to the Princess Pearl - a very beautiful Stephanie Leighton, who Sinistro tries to take for his own.

Poor Roger Bellamy playing the sinister sorceror was greeted with hisses, boos and epithets every time he took to the boards.

Normally pleasant Andrew Norton made a rather inefficient Witchdoctor on the Island of Nirvana, whilst Clarrie Lancelles, by now an accomplished comedienne was barely recognisable as the Old Man of the Sea.

A newcomer to the stage was Doug Fitch, a normally cheerful potter, who excelled as a very dignified Wazir of Constantinople.

Two beautiful and exotic young ladies, Molly Cook and Tinith Gould played Coca and Coca, island lovelies and El Hump, the disdainful camel was manipulated by Hannah Frost and Luke Martin.

Gill Smith made a brief dash from the prompt book to make a terrifying Bludruncolda, the evil priestess.

During the long holidays, the Drama Club runs workshops for the young people of the village, and all the training has certainly paid off.

All the members of the chorus were word perfect, and presented themselves well.

All praise to Luke Martin and Hannah Frost who directed and choreographed the children.

As always the scenery, make up, lighting and sound were very professional. Even the fact that some of the adult cast members were not word perfect on the opening night was turned to good advantage, with much repartee between the prompter and the cast.

As the Haiti earthquake had occurred just before the production, collections were taken at each performance, and two goblets made for the show by Doug Fitch were to be auctioned with sealed bids.

David Nunn