A DRAMA group was excited to have sold-out shows at the weekend for its first ever pantomime.
Maldon and District Dramatics Society held its first pantomime show to audiences in Goldhanger.
The four shows at the Goldhanger Village Hall were a big success for the society, who said they have already had requests for a 2024 pantomime.
Society co-founder Holly Hallam said: “Sleeping Beauty the Pantomime was very well received by adult and child audiences alike.
“Lots of boos and hisses for our Evil Fairy Nightshade (Alice Mason) and rapturous applause for our three good fairies (Ayla Moor, Carole Hart, Holly Stanhope) who saved the day and helped the Prince to get to the castle.
“We had a sold out Friday night and we even had a full Saturday night, despite the Strictly final.
“Our two Dames (Martin Adams and Shaun Hart) brought lots of giggles with their fabulous costumes and punchy one liners.
“Not to forget our comedy duo Harold and Hugh (Holly Hallam and Karla Marie Brown) who brought the ad libs and the laughs throughout the show.
“Every show ended with photos with the cast, in which Princess Aurora (Aimee Hart) and Prince Phillipe (Matt Scott) stole the hearts and made lots of children very happy with smiles at the end.
“Not to mention the hilariously funny Francois (Katie Waite) who just wanted to go home.
“Our King (Ian Macdonald) and Queen (Constance Lawson) brought laughter and wonderful music and our panto horse Thunderclap (Libby Johnson) was an audience favourite.
“With a fantastic supporting cast of ensemble (Avalon Lawson, Grace Morris and Sharon Lindsell) both young and older, it was an all-round brilliant show.
“Emma Loring did a wonderful job directing, assisted by Libby Johnson, and was supported technically by a strong team of sound and lighting geniuses (Callum White, Louis Bartlett, JK Productions) and a slick backstage team (Adam Hart).
“Thank you to the Goldhanger community for letting us use the village hall as the perfect venue for our show.”
Their next show is the comedy play Agatha Crusty and the Village Hall Murders in 2024.
Their first readthrough is on January 7 in Maldon. For more information or to register interest, go to madds.co.uk.
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