A struggling Trowbridge amateur dramatic society has decided to stage a traditional family pantomime in a do-or-die bid to keep its productions going.
Trowbridge Players have decided to stage Sleeping Beauty for the first time in four years at The Civic but it’s taking every penny of their funds.
In a written statement, Trowbridge Players’ chairman Tim Knott said: “You will have noticed that Trowbridge Players have not been doing a great deal since lockdown.
“We have performed one play and an evening of one-acts at Steeple Ashton Village Hall and Trowbridge Town Hall.
“We had our main venue, The Arc Theatre, withdrawn from amateur groups as a cost-cutting measure by Wiltshire College and have been looking for suitable venues to perform in ever since.
“Now the Town Hall is closed for a couple of years the choice of venues in Trowbridge has become even slimmer.
“In the meantime, our funds have dwindled as we have been paying out for costume and scenery storage with very little income coming in.”
He added: “If we don’t bring in some funds then I’m afraid that Trowbridge Players will be no more in the space of a few months.
“But there is one thing that can save us, panto! Pantomime is the bread and butter of drama groups throughout the country, so we need this one to be well-supported.
“So, we are calling out to all members and friends of the society, past and present, to help keep us going.
“We have been in existence since 1969 and I hope that we can still be in the position to bring theatre to the people of the town.”
This year’s pantomime, Sleeping Beauty, has been written by Angela Giddings who is also directing.
She has been involved with the drama group since 1974 and is keen to make this production a big success.
Angela said: “Time is moving on, and we have now taken the decision to produce Sleeping Beauty a pantomime for 2024.
“We will be performing Sleeping Beauty at The Civic Centre this month. This is obviously a venue that we have not used for many years (approximately 15) and it has changed significantly regarding performance space, and it is costly to put on.”
But one positive line has come out of this production – the return of Harry Parker as Prince Ferdinand, who is no stranger to the stage for he was one of the babes when Trowbridge Players put on Robin Hood and Babes in the Wood in 2010.
Sleeping Beauty is based on the traditional fairy tale about a princess cursed by an evil fairy to sleep for a hundred years before being awakened by a handsome prince.
The cast includes Pete Grant as Dame Nanny, Dave Bailey as Wilbert, Mike Holden as Lord Chamberlain, Carisma Dolphin as Princess Beauty, Chloe Johnson as Fairy Sapphire, Sue Morgan as Fairy Mouldina, Alan Rutland as King Fredrick, Alice Gosney as Queen Olivia, and Harry Parker as Prince Ferdinand.
Sleeping Beauty opens on Friday, January 12 with a 7.30pm evening performance. It is on again on Saturday, January 13 with a matinee at 2.30pm and an evening performance at 7.30pm, and a second matinee on Sunday, January 14 at 2.30pm.
Tickets are available from www.thecivictrowbridge.co.uk or 01225 765072.
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