Welcome to our first online Newsletter.
This will be produced on a monthly basis.
The last year has been a momentous one for the Players. Having been unable to perform (except on line) for two years due to the pandemic, we came back with our sellout pantomime Mother Goose in March 2023. This has been nominated for Best Pantomime by NODA – Eastern Region.
We followed that up in June with a Variety Show.
We have just finished with – with another sell out production of this years Pantomime – Treasure Island
Finally we are delighted to announce that we have agreed donations as follows:
Chet Valley Community Larder £500
Loddon Community Gym £500
The Church’s of Loddon and Chedgrave for window repairs £500
As we were going to donate to Chet Valley Community Larder, we asked those who bought tickets for the Pantomime to donate food. We were absolutely delighted to be able to collect 8 crates of food. Thank you to everyone that gave so generously
Latest show
Treasure Island Panto 24
Written and produced by Steve Burton, directed by Jackie Bingham, with musical direction from Alan Cant and choreography for Funky Feet dancers by Miss Vicky Codling.
There were 8 performances and tickets sold out within 10 days.
More details including reviews and lots of photos from the production
Set, props and costumes
Jackie Bingham designed the set and sourced or created the props.
Alan Harper-Bourne and other members were responsible for set construction.
Costumes under the guiding hand of wardrobe mistress Pauline Mason – responsible for the one gallion hat, worn by the dame (played by Anthony Bunting) were made by, Pauline, Debbie Codling, Ann Lumley and cast members.
Future Shows
Spring 2024
Building on the success of last years Variety Show – we plan to put on a production again on 28th and 29th June 2024. Its likely to be a one act play with the second half – a variety selection.
Further information to follow
Our next Panto in January 2025 will be The Pied Piper – lots of rats and plenty of German sausages!
Local Theatre
Theatre Royal
including
Calender Girls 2nd to 6th April – Tickets here
Jesus Christ Superstar 8th – 13th April – Tickets here
The Maddermarket Theatre
Whats on
Wisbech - The Secret Garden
NODA
The National Scene
Loddon Players have been members of NODA for many years. We get support for many issues including legal and welfare matters.
NODA nationally run events such as summer schools and training workshops.
NODA in the EAST
NODA has a regional structure and we fall into that area in NODA East Region 6.
Our representatives normally visit us to watch and report on our performances – here is their report for Mother Goose which has been nominated for their Best Panto Award 2023.
Their latest review is of Treasure Island 2024
Maureen's Moments
Previous productions & players
Our oldest and most celebrated active member – Maureen Larkin briefly looks back at the first pantomine she took a part in – Dick Whittington in 1977.
“I played Lulu the Chamber Maid and Marie Hemming played Fifi the French Maid
I struck up a partnership with Derek Loyd who played the dame.
It was then that he and I enacted the famous, hilarious “keep fit” sequence with balls of dough!
Vallee Dewar who had a lovely speaking voice – perfect principle boy stature – played Dick and Joan Evans who had a beautiful singing voice – as well as painting most of the scenery – played the lovely Alice.
Joan and I collaborated for many years as she (now our life President) became principal script writer.
I also had to step in to play the front end of Blossom the cow – when Peter Green the vicar fell ill!
One key person of note was the lighting and sound engineer Ian Leonard – whilst still a pupil at Loddon Secondary School – now known as Hobart High School. Ian went on to found Viking Lighting – we have purchased and hired many items from Ian over the years.
Beryl Carver was the musical accompaniest who could make even my singing sound OK! She said to me “I’ll play the black and white notes and you can sing in the cracks in between!”
For more information see our past production page
Latest News
Recent activities of our dancers and performers
How to join
Classes – Timetable
Announcements
We are proud to say that Funky Feet students are all working hard in classes and some students are also preparing a Cabaret evening event for April that we would love the local community to attend. Please see our poster for more information:
Upcoming Events
The committee are delighted to announce that Sam Bailey has agreed to take on the role of Social Secretary with immediate effect. Over the coming months Sam will be organising events. Most will be open to members and their accompanying partners and some will be open for younger family members as well. (see note below).
We will be holding regular monthly social meets ups – this will be on the first Friday of each month. The venues may change.
The first Monthly Meet Up – will be at – The Swan- Church Plain, Loddon on Friday 5th April from 7.00pm
This social get together is intended for over 18 members and partners.
All current members will receive an email each month with a link to the newsletter. It will also be available to read on our website.
Email us below if you are likely to attend the first meet up.
(Note – if you have received this via an email link, you are on our membership list and are entitled to attend these events).
Social Diary