Pub panto going strong

A PUB panto aimed at raising funds for the Lewes Lifeboat Appeal sounded jolly fun in 1977, but the participants probably did not expect it to be still going strong into the 21st century having raised over £30,000 for various local charities.

A PUB panto aimed at raising funds for the Lewes Lifeboat Appeal sounded jolly fun in 1977, but the participants probably did not expect it to be still going strong into the 21st century having raised over 30,000 for various local charities.

The 'thesps' of the LADS Lewes Arms Dramatic Society are celebrating their 25th production with a new version of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, the first panto to be staged back in 1978. However, there's little chance of this very original script, penned by the pub's locals, falling foul of Disney's latest copyright purge!

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As usual and as is proper in traditional (LADS traditional that is) pantos, remarkable and innovative use has been made of the postage stamp-sized stage. All entrances and exits are by necessity stage right, a stage left exit via the auditorium and a sash window remaining a challenge yet to be met. Piece de r sistance is a full size glass coffin constructed by producer and director, Ron Brown, whose boundless enthusiasm and seemingly unending patience now extends into a ninth year.

LADS has managed to contact many of those who have been involved with the panto over the years and those returning this week will have been delighted to see that standards have been maintained (i.e. no better). The final script was ready over a week before first night, the prompt still enjoys one of the largest parts in the show, sound cues keep everyone guessing and the singing reaches new heights of achievement, if not accuracy.

Three of the original 1978 cast are still involved, Roz South (Queen Malevola) and Adam Frost (Grumpy) on stage and Andy Freeman wielding a make up brush offstage. Jane Smithers, who has risen through the ranks, takes on the title r'le as a very comely Snow White, the object of the affection/lust of Ed Bassford (Doc), Dave Hobden (Dopey), Mark Jarvis (Happy), Paul Jarvis (Sleepy), Roger Palmer (Sneezy) and Simon Smewing (Bashful).

Non PC

While the script grazes the knuckle at times and political correctness was run out of town years ago, the panto is still a show that you could take your open-minded maiden aunt to. She'll no doubt be abused by the Mirror (Kate Holgate), amused by the King (Andy Banks), confused by the Prince (Norma Thompson) and bemused by the Huntsman (Nicky Jonas), but she'll still have a rib-tickling evening, not necessarily always caused by the script. Panto debutantes Pat (Penguin) and Robin (Rabbit) Lee are the LADS' answer to the Chuckle Brothers, providing the 'Aaarrghh!' factor.

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Purists will no doubt be disappointed by the absence of such Lewes Arms staples as 'the manacles' and the 'Royal Seal', but Snow White is another rattling good night out and as is proper and traditional, the RNLI will once again be benefiting from the LADS' endeavours.

The panto continues tonight and tomorrow night in the upstairs 'theatre' at the pub, but few tickets remain.

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