NOT many villages the size of Cheriton Fitzpaine can boast of having a Playwright and Comedian in their Drama Club, but this year, once again, David Pink came up trumps, writing (and co-producing with Geoff Burchmore) The Scottish Panto, (very) loosely based on Shakespeare’s story.

Sitting in our newly refurbished, and very comfortable, Parish Hall, the audience was treated to a funny and entertaining evening.

Without doubt, the three witches: Becky Smith, Laura Kemp and Molly Cook were the triumph of the first act, with their cackling, weird clothing, and spells. Make-up artist, Penny Rudler Doyle had managed to turn three attractive young ladies into evil hags.

As usual, David Pink and Andrew Norton, the hapless Odd Jobbers, made a hilarious team, and Roger Bellamy as the Dame was an elegant change to the usual buxom person.

Mike Pratt, making his Panto debut as the Baron, was a kindly figure who was not at all disconcerted by the heckling from his friends from the Cheriton Active Gentleman’s Club, of which he was a founder member.

Paula Mossman played a swashbuckling, hip slapping Sea Captain, and really enjoyed herself.

The two Juvenile Leads, Charlotte French and Richard Chapple had been in the Drama Club since they were both at Primary School, and it is good to see them develop into confident actors.

Tom Metcalf was disguised as a dog, who could almost talk, and was very clever and convincing.

The surprise of the evening was Tracey Evershed Martin, who played a very brisk Irish dancing teacher in an hilarious piece with the hapless Odd Jobbers. Tracey demonstrated some very slick Irish dancing which surprised us all.

Twins, Katy and Grace Chapple worked very well together, as did the Chorus. Unfortunately one of the cast lost her voice just before the panto, and our old friend, Sue Yeates became Lady MacB overnight.

Most of the cast also helped with stage construction, set painting and costume making and, of course, the whole thing would have been very different without the enthusiastic keyboard playing of David Sims.

Well done, Cheriton Fitzpaine Drama Club.

Mary Nunn