Past Events in Pictures

Throughout the year we hold lots of events and at below are a selection of photos taken at these events.

Village Hall Drama Group Panto - February

Casts - Jack: Mel Odell, Jill: Pam Evans, Dame Tilly Trot: Anthony Uzolins, Simple Simon: Andy Langford,  Grotviler: Adrian Ward, Fairy Harricot Vert: Trish Rogan, Grabbit & Leggit: Kim James & Sacha Pearce, Lady Lotsadosh: Cathy Jaycock, Giant Blunderebore: Simon Jackcock, Buttercup: Steve & Hazel Cotton, Mayor: Jules Jaycock, Maisie: Jennifer Bewick, George: Jane Mather, Jenny & the Golden Hen: Mandy Smith, Bill & Ben: Ann Clark & Scott Southam, Harp: Lesley Rogan & Susan Pidgen, Chorus: Cathy Jaycock, Elaine Moorie, Jane Mather, Jeff Rees, Lesley Rogan, Mandy Smith, Simon Jaycock & Susan Pidgen.

Crew - Producer: Pam Evans, Prompt: Jane Hall, Backstage: Jem Hall, Lynne Rees & Margaret Walters, Band: Beth Worth, Dave Ball & Steve McClennon, Choreography: Charlotte Evans, Costumes, Set & Prop Builders: Jane Mather, Keith Smith, Margaret Walters, Pam Evans, Simon Jaycock & Steph Weaver, Makeup: Isla Barrett, Steph Weaver & Vicky O'Reilly, Lighting, Sound & Filming: Keith Smith & Mark Bloor, Poster & Programme: John King (kingdesign1@mac.com) & Mandy Smith, Publicity & Tickets Sales: Keith Smith & Mandy Smith.

A giant of a pantomime with a host of wonderful comedy characters. The villagers of Greendale are under the cosh. The Giant Blunderebore, with the help of his evil sidekick, Grotviler, is bleeding them dry, and the pompous but terrified Mayor is kowtowing to the Giant’s will, taxing the villagers for all he is worth. The good Fairy Haricot Vert arrives from France, to help Greendale’s downtrodden populous. 

Dame Tilly Trot is suffering more than most. Her dairy isn’t doing very well and her sons, Jack and Simple Simon, don’t possess great business brains. The only way to pay the Dame’s back‐taxes and rent arrears is to sell her cow, Buttercup, so Jack is sent to the market to get a good price. When Jack returns with a handful of beans, Dame Trot throws them out of the window, only to find, next morning, that a giant beanstalk has grown in her garden. 

Meanwhile, Grotviler kidnaps Jack’s sweetheart, Jill, who is the daughter of the very posh, Lady Lotsadosh. Jack sets off up the beanstalk to rescue Jill. He succeeds, and also manages to snatch the Giant’s treasure, before racing back to the beanstalk, with Blunderebore hot on their heels. Jack and Jill reach the bottom of the beanstalk, and the plant is quickly cut down, sending Blunderebore crashing to the ground. Jack is a hero, Jill accepts his proposal of marriage, and the Mayor announces an end to all taxes. 

Marian then thanked all the cast and crew members who have been involved in the Drama Group, which started in 1985 and performed the first panto 'Jack and the Beanstalk' in 1986. She also asked everyone to remember those who are no longer with us. The audience then joined in with our final number 'Fame', after which the cast left through the audience to loud cheers and rapturous applause.

The music, lighting and sounds helped bring the panto to life as did the songs and dances performed by the cast. And no panto could be put on without the backstage crew, changing the scenery and ensuring the props were in the right place, the choreographer, costume and prop makers, the prompt and everyones favourite, the bartenders.

Everyone agreed it was one of the best ever pantos and are all looking forward to the next one.

40 Years of Drama Exhibition - February

Residents, past and present cast and crew, came along to take a trip down memory lane and celebrate four decades of creativity at the Downderry and Seaton Village Hall. On display were programmes, photos, props and costumes from many of the productions. It was lovely to see members of the community sharing the experiences on and off the stage.