MADS Wizard of Oz by Stewart Auty Knockin' on Dave's Door by Neil Webster One Down by Paul Gorsuch All The Little Lights by Jane Upton The Bear by Anton Chekhov Scary Play by Judith Johnson The Winter of 1917 by David Campton Tuesday by Alison Carr Please Take Your Seats by Lorna Evans

As the curtain finally descends on pantomime groups across the County I would just like to take this opportunity of thanking everyone for the tremendous amount of hard work given to keep pantomime well and truly alive in the West Country. It is always the audiences that matter and it is clearly evident they have enjoyed your productions as much as I have. It has been an honour for myself and the team of adjudicators to have been invited to watch your performances and for this

Tintinhull Drama Group present Cinderella     My final pantomime to moderate for the Cinderella Competition  takes me to Tintinhull. A quaint quiet village where everything seems silent and tranquil until you reach the village hall! It is here where Tintinhull Drama Group  are presenting Cinderella. On a chilly Saturday afternoon it was time to ‘Button’ up my overcoat and park my ‘Carriage’ as early as possible knowing parking would be an issue for yet another sell out perfor

Chardstock Amateur Dramatic Society present Jack and the Beanstalk   Managing to get through Boarder Control I now enter the outskirts of Devon. It is at Chardstock Village Hall that CADS are performing their 36 th pantomime.  It’s Jack and the Beanstalk this year . The script was written by Alan P. Frayn and directed by Jen Parker. Having played  Dottie Dimple with the same script a few years ago I was well aware of its storyline and was hoping to be treated to a fun packe

1 st  David Beach Youth Awards at Batch Country House – 6 March 2026   Somerset Fellowship of Drama were delighted to host the first David Beach Youth Awards last night. Representatives from youth groups, societies & schools gathered together at the Batch Country House to celebrate all the amazing youth musicals that had entered the competition, across Somerset & just into Dorset, from December 24 to end November 25.   So many incredible shows, so blessed with such a wealth o

Tatworth Amateur Pantomime Society present   Beauty and the Beast     Despite never being able to find Tatworth village hall, even with a provided map and sat nav, it is always a relief when I drive through many housing estates and suddenly the hall appears as if by panto magic! This season’s choice was Beauty and the Beast  written by Dawn Cairns, a name I am not familiar with, and directed by Angie Davies and Debbie Davis. I received a comprehensive programme listing all sc

Cannington Pantomime Society presented The Snow Queen   As our Magical Mr Moderator had booked a disappearing act in sunny Blackpool, I stepped in to be his understudy and travel out to see Cannington Pantomime Society present their version of The Snow Queen on Saturday 21 st  February.   Knowing how much team effort is put into Cannington productions I was looking forward to seeing what was on offer on this, their special celebratory 25 th year. As always, the attention to

Wincanton Amateur Dramatic Society Mother Goose I was let loose on Saturday evening to moderate Wincanton Amateur Dramatic Society’s Mother Goose at the Memorial Hall in Wincanton. What a lovely evening I and my companion had there, being thoroughly entertained by their great cast. The script was by Nigel Holmes and it was refreshing to hear different panto gags which raised many a smile with myself and my companion. It was a good choice of script for this Society and it was

Somerton Dramatic Society presents   Robin Hood and the Babes in the Wood    My Sunday afternoon journey now takes me to Somerton.   It is here their dramatic society are presenting  Robin Hood and the Babes in the Wood. Written and directed by the gifted Matthew Maisey I knew immediately the local audiences were in for a real comedic treat and how right I was! From start to finish this was most certainly a ‘Golden Shot’ production (although I guess very few will remember the

Martock Players and Pantomime Society present Jack and the Beanstalk     I have to confess Jack and the Beanstalk  is my all time favourite pantomime. I love its story and am always intrigued as to how the beanstalk will grow and how the giant makes his appearance. It was no wonder then, that I was looking forward to driving across to Martock where Martock Players and Pantomime Society are presenting this very panto. A great choice of script written by Damian Trasler, David L

Cloverleaf Productions present Hansel and Gretel (And the notorious ‘Giant Friendly Badger’)    For those of us with a sweet tooth and have their 5 a day (such as Kale, Carrots, Cabbage, Courgettes and plenty of ‘mash potato’) need look no further than Coombe St Nicholas Village Hall. It is here where Cloverleaf Productions  are performing Hansel and Gretel and what a pantomime this turned out to be, in ‘allsorts’ of ways! Philippa Glastonvill certainly had her work cut out.

The Mendip Players present The Three Musketeers     It is on the outskirts of Cheddar that I now venture. At Draycott Memorial Hall The Mendip Players  are presenting The Three Musketeers. There certainly wasn’t anything cheesy about this established group apart from Camembert of course! The script was written by Vicky Orman and Dan Ward was once again in the driving seat as director. A lot of thought had gone into this pantomime as we were immediately transported across the

Wellington Pantomime Group present Sleeping Beauty    Despite total mayhem on the relief road I eventually made it to the Wellesley Theatre. It was here that Wellington Pantomime Group  were performing Sleeping Beauty. The script by the ever popular Alan P. Frayn contained everything you would expect in a traditional pantomime although an ‘It’s behind you’ scene was not included. The talented Andy Pearce was in the driving seat as director, his debut in pantomime, and what a

Burnham & District Pantomime Society present Puss In Boots     ‘Oh I do like to be beside the seaside in January’. ‘Oh yes I do’! But for one reason only and that’s to see what’s happening at The Princess Theatre. It is here that Burnham and District Pantomime Society are presenting Puss in Boots. The script was written by Lorna Blair and Lynsey Bissell. Lorna was also in the driving seat as director so I was certain she would leave no stone unturned. I must confess this pant

Glastonbury and Street Pottymouth Squad present   Sleeping with Beauty   Another new venue and another new group entering our competition. Welcome to the Pottymouth Squad . I was looking forward to meeting up with this troupe as they toured around the shire of Somerset. The opening nights venue was the Edgar Hall, Somerton. A packed audience was evident as I was shown to my table. Those who are familiar with TomWhalley’s writing will be aware that some of the ‘one liners’ can

The Shepton Playhouse presents Robin Hood   The Somerset Fellowship of Drama is delighted to announce yet another new group to its competition. Formed in Shepton Beauchamp only two years ago welcome to The Shepton Playhouse . Robin Hood  was the choice for their second pantomime. I have to say it really does take a lot to make me laugh at pantomimes these days. I guess I have been doing the job far too long and have heard all those ‘one liners’ dozens and dozens of times befo

Clevedon Comedy Theatre Club present Alice in Wonderland   If you live in the world of imagination, then a trip to Clevedon will work wonders for you! It is at the Princes Hall where the  Clevedon Comedy Theatre Club  are presenting Alice in Wonderland . Written by Tom Whalley and directed by Becky Starr this was, without doubt, one of the best pantomimes I have seen in recent years from this enthusiastic team. A great choice of script helped to create such a magical and colo