“It is local and it is funny,” says the director of pantomime Puss in Boots which is being performed at venues in both Penrith and Lazonby.
Maria Wright, of Eden Valley Players, who is directing the show, said they were collaborating with Penrith Players for the first time.
Eden Valley Players have put a pantomime on in Lazonby since 2017 and it gained quite a following with its successful shows.
The Puss in Boots script has been written by Ben Crocker, who is a professional scriptwriter, and is packed full of funny local references.
“Rehearsals have gone really well on the whole,” said Maria.
“Because we joined forces, so to speak, we have auditioned quite a lot of people and have a nice mix of people from Penrith and Lazonby.
“The biggest factor is that we have been overwhelmed by children wanting to be on. So we have got two casts of children and are splitting them between the two venues.”
In total there are about 25 children as part of the 35-strong cast
Robyn Whitfield, who has been Lazonby’s leading lady for the past three years, is playing Princess Esmerelda, while Tim Wright is the dame and the good fairy is Clare Spruce, a bad boy fairy (James Wright) and an ogre (John Douglas).
The story centres around Jack (Andrew Bates), who is a miller’s son. He has got two not so clever brothers who each received a windfall in their father’s will, while Jack simply gets a silver shilling and a cat (Emma Watson), who turns out to be magical. The good fairy sells Jack some boots and he buys them with his shilling. These turn out to be magic boots and the cat talks.
“It is fantastic fun and we have got two really not very bright brothers and their girlfriends which are quite a comedy foursome.
“The pantomimes that we put on are traditional pantomimes, old fashioned pantomimes,” said Maria.
She added: “We are really looking forward to it and the cast are working so hard and it is so lovely that we have got such a nice mix of people. They are doing so well together. It’s great.”
The show is at Penrith on Friday, 8th December, at 7-15pm and on Saturday, 9th December, at 2pm and 7-15pm.
Then it will be on at Lazonby village hall on Friday, 15th December, at 7-15pm, and on Saturday, 16th December, at 2pm and 7-15pm.
“Both matinees are sold out and the evening performances are selling really well as well. We have been over the moon with the ticket sales,” said Maria.
“We didn’t know how it would work out because we thought spreading it out over two weekends and two venues might deplete the audience, but it has boosted it,” she said.
