Thespians perform ‘hilarious’ Aladdin panto

The performance, produced and directed by Pauline Wormald, was watched by 120 members of the Phoenix Over 50s Club at Worthing Leisure Centre, in Shaftesbury Avenue.

Jeanie Dickenson, Phoenix Club co-ordinator, said: “It was a hilarious pantomime. The cast of Phoenix members really let their hair down.”

The cast included panto favourites Widow Twankey, Wishy Washy, Genie and Aladdin, and there was even a cameo appearance by Dick Whittington’s cat, played by Maureen Johnson.

After the finale, Pauline praised the efforts of her cast and Jeanie thanked Pauline and the thespians for their ‘superb dedication’. She also thanked leisure centre staff and the Phoenix Club manager, Peter Betts.

The members then presented Jeanie with a garden statue, which left her ‘speechless’.

In the interval sweet treats were served by Joy Abdey and Molly Garman dressed as Geisha, followed by a dramatic martial arts sword demonstration by the Phoenix Club Tai Chi instructor, Jan Simpson.