The Aldborough Players get ready to put on their 30th pantomime
The Aldborough Players go from strength to strength. They take to the stage on 7th -10th February 2024 with their latest and 30th pantomime – Toad!
Known for their slightly off-beat takes on traditional pantomime tales, over the years the Aldborough Players have taken their audiences on many adventures, including to outer space, the wild west, Never Never Land, caves deep under eastern lands, ancient Egypt, treasure islands and a giant’s kingdom.
Their first pantomime, Sally in Pantoland back in 1993, was the brain-child of Malcom Ward, who instigated the formation of The Aldborough Players little realising that 31 years later the annual village pantomime would still be a major focus of village life.
Their latest production – Toad! Is written and directed by Antonia Gray and Duncan Green. Based on the classic tale of Wind in the Willows the pantomime follows the hapless adventures of Toad, his loss of Toad Hall to the scheming weasels and his eventual rescue by his friends Ratty, Mole and Badger with the help of a cast of other animals of course.
There are two members of the original Sally in Pantoland production who are still active cast members. Jane Maguire from Aldborough and Richard Leeds, a former mayor of Cromer.
The success of the Aldborough Players is largely due to its all-inclusive policy – if you want to be involved, then get involved. It’s as easy as that. Backstage, on stage, front of house, costumes, set design, lighting, sound and the all-important prompt. Everyone mucks in. The Aldborough Players are lucky that they boast a live band something sadly lacking in many pantomimes nowadays.
“We never guessed the Aldborough Players would be so vibrant after all these years,” says Jane Maguire. “We’ve got a deep well of talent to draw from and we cater for everyone – cast members range from 10 year olds through all age groups to us older members who have a wealth of experience to pass on but in turn benefit from the input of younger players.”
Tickets for Toad! are available in person from Aldborough Post Office and Shop or online from The Aldborough Community Centre website https://www.aldboroughcommunitycentre.com.
For more information please contact Jane Maguire telephone 01263 761578, email sjmaguire0401@aol.com