CHURT

Churt Amateur Dramatic Society (CADS)

If you are interested in joining CADS in any capacity please contact the Chairman Dawn Barrow on 01428 714375 or dawnbarrow@aol.com'.

The CADS’ performance of Snow White in January and February was one of the most entertaining pantos I’ve seen recently, both professional and amateur – partly because they know the limitations of their acting space and the strengths of their ensemble cast and technical crew.

They led with a Dame strong and comfortable in the role – Peter Christopherson – and teamed him with the excellent comic lead character of Chuckles played by Angela Traill. A well-executed baddie helps to provide tension, and Anneliese Wadham as the bad queen, with James Woodley as a crone (heavily leaning on Brian’s mother from Life of Brian for additional comic effect), was indeed well played.

Even though the story is well known, and the biting of the apple an inevitable moment in the story, real tension was generated at this moment, through solid acting and characterisation

Imagining the dwarfs as city bankers was an inspiration for these austere times, and I make special mention of Sady Castro for extracting unscripted humour from her part.

Rachel Hutchison, in the lead role, delivered a solid and appropriate performance – having a fit of giggles in the glass coffin did make us and the cast chuckle.

This was a well performed, clearly well-rehearsed and fun show, and I hope the co-directors David Irwin and Deborah Lawson were well pleased with their panto.

I was, and so were my kids.

Stephen White