HAVING lived in Cheriton Fitzpaine since 1992, I still cannot believe what talent there is in such a small village.

This year’s Drama Club Pantomime, written by local actor/author David Pink, was Jack and the Beanstalk.

With David Sims on the keyboard, the action was slick and quick-moving, with great encouragement from the audience.

Malcolm Yeates, made a guest appearance as the Bad Baron, and was dutifully hissed by the audience. The “Dame”, played by Andrew Dean aka “Deano” (who insists - yet again - that this is positively his last appearance) was excellent, engaging enthusiastically with the audience.

Principal boy was Charlotte French, who is now an accomplished character actress, together with Principal Girl, Evie O’Brien, both being able to sing as well as act.

Slapstick was provided by Andy Norton and David Pink - a truly funny double act. Elly Babbedge and Paula Mossman were great as two cleaning ladies, especially their throw away reference to a villager who is always concerned with the cleanliness of the Ablutions!

Laura Kemp, Sarah Steele and Becky Smith metamorphosed from attractive ladies into hideous, cackling witches with great gusto, in contrast to the two good fairies, Holly Metcalf and Libby Steele, who were at their most charming.

As always, the Chorus, both adult and child, switched effortlessly from part-to-part and Jack’s pet Cow, played by Hollie Kingdon and Penny Rudler Doyle caused great amusement.

Mike Pratt made a cameo appearance as a bemused explorer trying to find the WI, and even David Nunn, hoping to take a photograph of the cast, was written into the action!

Thanks are due to the Director, Geoff Burchmore and the many people, from set designers and construction crew to make-up artists, prompter and the ladies who provided refreshments.

Mary Nunn