There’ll be plenty of booing and hissing again as Thetford Players bring Treasure Island to life for their annual pantomime. Written by Ben Crocker and directed by Caroline Foot, Treasure Island is packed to the gills with pirates but all is not as it seems – throw in a group of WI ladies and you have the ingredients for another fantastic production. Although this will be Caroline’s fourth panto, each one is very different and she says this year is no different. “Treasure Island isn’t set in a particular time period in our panto so it has a very modern feel to it. We wanted something with a good mix of characters and ages.” she explained, “All the traditional panto elements are in there somewhere. It’s a really funny script.” Panto favourites Phil Pearson and Stuart Wright have teamed up again as Gizzard Slitter and Blood Boiler, both having the honour of being cast in every Thetford Players panto since 2011. “I’m especially happy to be directing the mayor this year, you should all come along and see him!” chuckled Caroline.
This year there’s a host of new performers with long term ensemble member Charley Holt taking on her first principal role as Jenny. Adam Bond returns as the Dame, Mrs Hawkins along with James Trayton as Jim. Will O’Donnell who made a triumphant debut as the Ogre last year has the makings of a most memorable Long John Silver. Janine Squires is Polly the parrot and David Williams is the Squire. Discovering the joys of panto for the first time is Bradley Keszler, who will be playing The Fridge.
Rehearsals are going well with Amy Moulder, the Players new choreographer putting the cast through their paces. Jo Van der Hulks has been busy behind the scenes creating props including the frontage of a pirate ship. Jo said, “I love making something from nothing, and that it challenges my brain and uses my imagination!” If you’re looking for an evening full of slapstick comedy and fun for all the family, look no further. Tickets are selling fast “Oh yes they are!”, but you can get yours at: www.bit.ly/PANTO_TREASURE
