Another triumphant trip into Pantoland for Thetford Players

2025 marks fifteen years since the first ever Thetford Players pantomime, and their latest show, The Little Mermaid, has definitely lived up to the town’s high expectations!

Directing trio Lynne Jeffries, Charlotte Rowan Jeffries and Nadia Graversen have led the Players to a show that had audiences in fits of laughter.

“The aim of the whole production was for the audience and cast to have a good time, and everyone has had a ball,” said Lynne Jeffries.

Off the back of Players’ NODA-nominated summer show, SIX: TEEN EDITION, this year’s panto had a talented band of younger cast members. Imogen Graves, 13, held her own as Princess Ariel alongside Players’ veterans, Ray Kurn and Phil Pearson as Admiral C Weed and Thermidor.

Zoran Hanitzsch starred in their first principal role as the villainous Octavius (pictured above) and wowed the audience with his memorable rendition of songs by The Cure and Lady Gaga. Stealing the show along with Zoran was George Cooke as Princess Persil, aka the Dame.

It’s been said that George has waited all his life for that role – and he certainly made the most of it. Persil set her sights on Neil from the front row who gamely joined in, complete with West Country accent despite visiting Thetford all the way from Newcastle!

Speaking about the panto, Thetford Players Chairperson and Executive Producer, Jo Cooper said, “It’s been amazing seeing everyone’s hard work come to fruition on stage.” You can read the National Operatic and Dramatic Association (NODA)’s review on the Thetford Players Pantomime Facebook page.

Congratulations should go to the cast, crew and the band (listed below) for yet another fantastic panto. Here’s to the next 15 years!

Karen-Emma White, Editor