Diocese of Portsmouth
The Church of England

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    Community panto leaves audience in stitches

    Category
    Christmas
    Date
    4 Dec. 2023
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    ACTORS from across Leigh Park and Warren Park staged a rip-roaring version of ‘Snow White’ as their annual pantomime for this year.

    Hundreds watched across four performances as the Leigh Park and Warren Park Community Panto Players told their version of the classic story. They packed out St Clare’s Church in Warren Park, which was converted into a theatrical venue once again.

    A cast of more than 35 local residents of all ages entertained their friends and neighbours with physical comedy, outrageous costumes and gags aplenty. The vicar, the Rev Jonathan Jeffery, became the pantomime dame, appearing as Dame Dotty Dumpling, who was the cook for the baddie Queen Esmeralda.

    The story took in snow fairies, woodland sprites, princes and princesses – and substituted seven outlaws for the seven dwarves that appear in other versions of the story. And cast members staged ambitious dance routines to Michael Jackson’s Thriller and Queen’s Don’t Stop Me Now, as well as the now-traditional rendition of Take That’s Shine at the climax of the play.

    Vicar the Rev Jonathan Jeffrey in the pantomime Snow White
    Vicar the Rev Jonathan Jeffrey in the pantomime Snow White
    Chloe as Snow White, Phoebe as Prince Valentine, and Jem as Danny Dumpling in ‘Snow White’
    Chloe as Snow White, Phoebe as Prince Valentine, and Jem as Danny Dumpling in ‘Snow White’
    Singing and dancing as part of the pantomime staged at St Clare’s Church, Warren Park
    Singing and dancing as part of the pantomime staged at St Clare’s Church, Warren Park
    A final song to round off the performance of ‘Snow White’
    A final song to round off the performance of ‘Snow White’

    The church has staged a pantomime for the past few years, excluding those affected by Covid. Last year they staged Jack and the Beanstalk and in 2019 it was Dick Whittington. They also performed Aladdin and Cinderella in previous years.

    The script for Snow White was put together by the Rev Jonathan Jeffery, and his wife Carolyn Owens directed, with all three of their children in the cast. Their philosophy is to create a play that involves as many people from the local community as possible, on stage and backstage, to help cement community spirit. They also aim to create an inexpensive, local night out, in contrast to some of the larger, more professional Christmas productions.

    The cast and backstage crew had been rehearsing since September, and staged four performances over the weekend of December 1-3.

    For more photos from Snow White, click here

    St Clare's Church, Warren Park

    St Clares Avenue, Warren Park, Havant, Warren Park, PO9 4JX

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