Saturday 13 June 2026 | The Lecture Hall, George Lane, Loddon
The Loddon Players marked an incredible 50 years of community theatre with a celebratory Open Day, welcoming a steady stream of visitors to explore five decades of local performance history.
📚 A Journey Through 50 Years
Guests enjoyed a rich archive of memorabilia, including:
• Original programmes and press cuttings
• Photograph albums spanning the decades
Much of the archive was kindly supplied by Life President Maureen Larkin, one of our Guests of Honour, and was beautifully curated and displayed by Hannah Skepelhorn and Linda Skepelhorn.
⭐ Guests of Honour
Maureen Larkin
• First appeared in our second pantomime, Dick Whittington
• Continues to perform with us today, most recently providing a voice role in Cinderella
John Harris
• Founder of Loddon Pantomimes
• Producer of our very first production, Cinderella, staged on 1 January 1976 at what is now Hobart High School
• Also performed as the Baron and went on to produce two further pantomimes
Both Maureen and John had the honour of cutting the anniversary cake, beautifully made by Jackie Bingham.
🎬 Activities and Attractions
The day offered something for everyone, including:
🎥 A mini cinema showing highlights from our last four pantomimes (produced by Hannah Skepelhorn)
📸 A costume photo booth
🎨 Children’s colouring area
🍫 Chocolate tombola
☕ Refreshments and homemade treats
Visitors also enjoyed displays of selected costumes, many created by the talented Pauline Mason, with additional pieces kindly loaned by Maureen Larkin.
👏 Community Support
We were delighted to welcome local MP Ben Goldsborough, who joined the celebrations and shared a supportive message highlighting the vital role of the Players in bringing the community together.
The event attracted a wonderful mix of local residents of all ages (and even a few four-legged visitors!), creating a warm and lively atmosphere throughout the day.
💛 A Celebration of Community
Although not primarily a fundraising event, the generosity of attendees helped raise approximately £150, alongside donations of cakes, scones, chocolates and other treats.
The Loddon Players remain proud to be a community-based group, with members both local and from further afield—united by a shared passion for theatre and community spirit.
🎉 Looking Ahead
50 years of laughter, creativity and community — and we’re just getting started. Here’s to the next 50 years of productions, by the community, for the community.
