Frank. N. Stein
written by Ian Bannerman jointly directed by Jules Pottle and Ally Baker
6th-9th December 2023
After a fantastic casting day, when we were presented with an abundance of hilarious talent (so much so that we had too many people to fit in and sadly had to turn a few away this year), we are now well into rehearsals.
Luckily for us, Ian Bannerman was able to turn the fairly horrific source tale into a barrel of laughs and so we are now engaged in squeezing the script for every double-entendre and nuance, while attempting to find space on our modest stage for all the foolery and the occasional dramatic moment essential to the Cumnor Panto.
The set-building team have already concocted a major piece of ingenuity and 2-by-4 for us to trundle the Monster around on; paint is already being applied to canvas; various costume items are brought forth each week for trial and approval.
The panto band are putting together their adaptations of the song choices, and the singers are trying to learn their lyrics, on top of their lines from the scenes along with everyone else. It is all go.
Soon we'll be starting Sunday rehearsals on top of the usual Thursday nights, and then things will get even more intense: November is a crescendo of activity in all departments. It'll be alright on the night, though won't it? Oh yes it will!
Jules Pottle and Ally Baker
Pictures by Tracey Foley
