Beauty and the Beast

Well it's over! Chinnor Players annual pantomime for 2018, Beauty & the Beast.

Firstly thank you to our audiences, as always you make the Chinnor Players panto so enjoyable with your enthusiasm.

We started rehearsals in November with a short break over Christmas, struggled a bit during rehearsal time with illness, work commitments and a broken wrist!
Rehearsals Mondays and Thursday for the cast and Monday's for the junior and senior chorus, all coming together with our fantastic band for 3 Sunday rehearsals.

On Friday 19 January at 6pm the stage extension was erected and our 2 new back drops had the background painted. Saturday morning 7am stage cloth down, green curtains up and stage skirt on. Our super artist arrived to do his magic, aided by some other capable people. More painting then on the scenery with more artwork. Once dry repeating on the other side of the flats. By 4.30pm Sunday afternoon we had just about finished.

Afternoon rehearsal done and some clearing up. 7pm technical rehearsal, going through sound effects and lighting until 10pm but some stayed until midnight finishing off. During Monday and Tuesday more artwork to finish off.

Monday evening dress rehearsal.

Tuesday cleaning the floor then putting out all the chairs. Front of house also set up.

Wednesday first night. Compost corner were in the audience, they always come on the first night, very exciting and well received.

Thursday also went very well.

Friday we had a full house, and as always the Brownies were in great form and egged on the cast with their cheering and booing. A small hitch with no seats for some, we found out later that another hirer had taken chairs but not put them back! But all sorted for Saturday.

Saturday 11am was the first performance of the day with a lovely audience, although a couple of children were frightened by the witch and the Beast. Just less than an hour and back on for the 3pm show. Full house again with the Beavers, as with the Brownies great enthusiasm. Once again clear up and back on for the final show at 8pm. Almost full house and once again the cast put on a fabulous entertaining show.

From our younger chorus, newcomers Karen Laws and Michael Oatway and the rest of the cast we all thank you for your continued support.  One comment from an audience member, " I've lived in Chinnor all my life, never been to one of your panto's before but will come every year now!"

So on behalf of all of us thank you. As a director you always worry that things will go well and the audience love the casting, difficult choices sometimes. So thank you so much cast and all back stage crew. It was my granddaughter, Emily's first try at
co-directing I have to say I'm very proud of her.

See you next time!

Rose Weakley