Welcome to our May 2025 Newsletter
Tickets are now on sale for our own celebratory tribute to the VE Day 80th Anniversary.
“Keep Calm & Carry On” will take place on Friday 27th and Saturday 28th June at the Lecture Hall George Lane doors open at 7pm and the performance starts at 7.30pm.
Come and join with us as we laugh, cry and reflect on the second world war and the final victory in Europe.
From Chamberlains declaration of War to Churchill’s announcement of victory, we will take you on that journey through the mediums of drama, song, sketches, poetry, and more.
The first act will be a play set in an East End air-raid shelter – waiting for the “all clear”, this is a slice of life – funny at times but also living with fear and foreboding.
The second act will be more in a variety format, featuring the most popular comedy of the time – Tommy Handley’s ITMA, the songs of Flanagan and Allen, The Andrews Sisters, Gracie Fields, Vera Lynn and others. Plus comedy sketches and poignant reflections of that period.
We pay our respects to those who fought, those who died and those who stayed behind. To the evacuated children, to those sheltering during the Blitz and so much more.
Tickets now on sale
or via our telephone box office on Saturday 17th May at 9.00am
Telephone Box Office number 0333 666 3366
Opening times for telephone bookings
Mon – Fri 9.00am to 7.00pm
Sat – 9.00am to 5.00pm
Sun – Closed
Looking forward to next year
Our pantomime in 2026 will be a special one to mark 50 years since our first – Cinderella in 1976.
Here is a link to our pantomime archive
Pantomimes 1976 to 2025 – Loddon Players
Our Pantomime Treasure Island has now been nominated for the Best Panto award for 2024. The award ceremony will be held in May.
Funky Feet
Funky Feet School of Dance & Performing Arts have to raise at least £10,000 to cover the cost of a new dance floor following their enforced departure from Chedgrave.
Loddon Players have very recently donated £500 – one of our four main recipients of our profits from our productions.
Funky Feet Competition Team very recently had a fantastic couple of weekends at the Felixstowe Dance Competition winning multiple awards!
Here is a taster photo
More here #funkyfeet
Social Events
In mid May a group of members went to see “The Essence of Audrey” at the Garage – Norwich. We supported Funky Feet’s Tilly Bell who was project managing the publicity to spread the word and hopefully sell lots of tickets. In fact Tilly was so successful that the one night performance was completely sold out!
For those of us who attended it was a great night and an amazing virtuoso solo performance about the life of Audrey Hepburn, performed and written by Helen Anker
Coming up in between 13th and 15th June, we have a party of members going to watch our own Sam Bailey in Dorothy in Wonderland – a Spotlight Musical Theatre Group production at Beccles Public Hall and Theatre.
Musical direction has been provided by another of our own – Adam Kellingray-Williamson.
Looking further ahead Jackie and David Bingham are holding a summer house party for members and families on 12th July 2025 from 2.30pm. Further details in next months edition
Latest PANTOMIME
The Pied Piper
Written and produced by Steve Burton, directed by Jackie Bingham, with musical direction from Alan Cant and choreography for the Funky Feet dancers by Miss Vicky Codling.
Here are a few more images:
More details including reviews and lots of photos from the production




The Role of Principal Boy
As we approach our 50th year since our first pantomine, we examine here the role of Principal Boy.
The principal boy is one of the most iconic roles in traditional British pantomime, typically played by a woman dressed in male attire. This convention dates back to the 19th century when women were cast in male roles to showcase their singing ability and stage presence, often appearing in costumes that emphasized their elegance and movement. Over time, the principal boy became a defining character in pantomime, embodying youthful heroism, charm, adventure and also with some comedic effect.
Characters such as Aladdin, Dick Whittington, and Prince Charming are common examples of the principal boy. They serve as the main protagonists, driving the narrative forward with their bravery and determination. Their journey is often one of self-discovery and triumph over adversity, presenting a moral tale of perseverance, courage, and optimism. The principal boy is traditionally distinguished by their confidence, energy, and slightly exaggerated gestures, creating an engaging and dynamic performance that captures the audience’s attention.
A vital aspect of the principal boy’s role is their romantic interaction with the leading lady, often a princess or a similarly noble character. This relationship is usually depicted with a wholesome innocence, as the principal boy sets out on a quest to prove their worth, defeat villains, or rescue their beloved. The interactions between the principal boy and the heroine help to establish the emotional core of the pantomime, providing moments of joy, humour, and sentimentality.
Furthermore, the principal boy is a figure of inspiration, representing the dreams and aspirations of the audience. They often begin as ordinary individuals who rise to greatness through their courage and determination, making them highly relatable and encouraging a sense of optimism. Their humour, charm, and spirited nature ensure that they remain a favorite among pantomime characters.
Whilst the tradition of women playing the principal boy has declined in some modern pantomimes around the country, with many productions opting for male actors to fill these roles, Loddon Players have always tried to maintain that tradition. We have adapted the role for some pantomimes for the principle boy to be both the romantic character falling for the Principal Girl, as in Aladdin or Cinderella but also the son of the Dame, as they were in our most recent Pantomimes, Treasure Island and The Pied Piper.
The casting of women as the principal boy also adds to the playful and exaggerated elements of pantomime, reinforcing its themes of theatricality and fantasy.
Despite the changes in some recent productions, the principal boy remains a central and beloved figure in pantomime tradition.
They continue to embody adventure, excitement, and the essence of theatrical storytelling, ensuring that pantomime remains lively, engaging, and full of magic for audiences of all ages.
Here at Loddon Players we approach the next 50 years with traditional at the heart but always with modern twists.
Last Summer Show
Spotlight Express - 28 & 29 June 2024
This was our second successive foray into the Variety genre following our well received production in 2023.
Spotlight Express was in two Acts.
Act One – an hilarious play called “The Last Bread Pudding”
Act Two was a variety show packed full of music, dance and comedic skits, some familiar, some new ones.
The show was extremely well received by the packed audiences.


Local Theatre
Theatre Royal
including
Peaky Blinders – The Redemption of Thomas Shelby – 17th to 21st June Tickets here
The Maddermarket Theatre
Whats on
Lowestoft
Wisbech - The Secret Garden
After their success with Spongebob the Musical at Easter, amongst many events coming up, they are performing
The Legend of Sleepy Hollow for Hallowen
Gorleston Pavillion


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. (5 and 6 now combined)
Our representatives normally visit us to watch and report on our performances – here is their report for Mother Goose which has just won their Best Panto Award 2023!
Their latest review is of Treasure Island 2024
We are very proud to say that this was nominated for Best Panto Award 2024! That is two nominations incl one winner in our last two pantomime productions.
Here is their recently published review of The Pied Piper on our web page

Maureen's Moments
Back next month - Editors Reflections on the amazing Maureen Larkin
Our oldest and most celebrated active member – Maureen Larkin is taking a breather this month.
Maureen’s first role in panto was as a maid in our second ever production – Dick Whittington in 1977.
Her comedic talent and engagement with the audience marked her out as a professional in all but name.
Her roles alongside The Dame – starting with Derek Loyd were lauded locally in the Loddon area but also more widely in Norfolk through association with BBC Norfolk’s Roy Waller – a regular member of our audience.
She played alongside our current Dame – Anthony Bunting for many years until she retired in 2017.
Maureen was the source of most of the our website archive material. I had great joy going through the many photographs, programmmes and press cuttings in her extensive treasury of memorabilia. It was so kind of her to allow me access so that it is available to any one who wants to see how pantomime developed in Loddon.
She also took part in many summer productions and shared her material for those as well.
Maureen has a loving family. Her wonderful husband Michael, and children Ian, Andrew and Michelle all have taken roles on stage and behind the scenes in the past. Andrew still designs our posters.
Maureen is a great friend to so many. It is my privilege to call her my dear friend.
David Bingham


Latest News
We were hoping to hold a Bingo evening in order to raise funds for our dance floor at Langley School but sadly we have had to cancel it.
The good news is that we are putting all the lovely prizes that have been donated into a raffle that will be drawn at our presentation afternoon in July.
Tickets can be purchased from Funky Feet at Langley or by emailing Jo at [email protected] (£1 a strip of tickets).
If anyone knows of any businesses/people that might donate more prizes, these would be gratefully received. All proceeds will go towards our much needed floor.
More fantastic news!
Here are some photos of the Competition Team in their various costumes:
Announcements
We need to raise £10,000 as we have been forced to find a new home at Langley School.
Upcoming Events
Over the coming months our Social Secretary Sam Bailey will be organising various 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 around the area.
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.
June & July 2025
A party of members and family are going to see our own Sam Bailey in a Spotlight Musical Theatre Group production of Dorothy in Wonderland at Beccles Public Hall and Theatre. Performances are from 13th to 15th June.
Our current production Musical Director – Adam Kellingray-Williamson has taken on that role as well.
We are looking forward to seeing it!
Email Sam at [email protected] if you wish to join our party or you can book tickets directly
Jackie and David Bingham are holding a summer house party on 12th July from 2.30pm.
This event is for members and accompanying families.
Food and refreshments will be provided but you are welcome to bring your own including drinks

Social Diary