Entertainment

The T.O.A.D.S Panto - Mother Goose

The Old Alresford Dramatic Society (T.O.A.D.S) has been writing, creating, and performing pantomimes in the village (Christy) hall since 1986. Following the closure of the village school and post office, and with a view to bringing the community together, an amateur drama group was formed, with people of all ages from eight – 80 years.

The pantomimes are written/edited, produced, and performed, by members of TOADS. This is the home of Dad jokes, Mum puns and slapstick. Of familiar songs, glittering costumes, stunning scenery, and many – many laughs, both deliberate and accidental. And we wouldn’t want it any other way – oh no we wouldn’t.

Pantomime is quintessentially Christmas; familiar, cosy and loved since childhood. And it’s so good to feel part of a show that is right on our doorstep, full of friendly faces old and new, and to join in the traditional audience banter, unabashed.

Titchfield Festival Theatre is where Christmas is this year!

Four fabulous festive shows and events with lots of fun, entertainment and activities for all the family. This year’s Christmas promises to be Titchfield Festival Theatre’s best-ever season yet.

This is a flavour of what TFT’s Christmas line-up features: . Meet Father Christmas: Ho Ho Ho....! Father Christmas takes a break from supervising the elves and Christmas present-making to appear at the Great Barn. Whilst the little ones meet Father

Christmas, the grown-ups can browse over 60 stalls at our This year is the 36th panto and TOADS is giving Mother Goose more twists than a contortionist playing Twister, so there’s plenty for everyone to enjoy. Written and directed by founder member Helen Gard and long-time member Jo Stokes, Mother Goose features classic nursery rhyme characters, goodies and baddies, golden eggs and fluffy fairies.

It got us thinking about both the origins of panto - pantomime literally means “all kinds” of “mime”, the timing, evolved from the Tudor “Feast of Fools” and role reversal of the lead characters, which is thought to have originated from the practice of benevolent masters who allowed their servants to be the boss on special celebratory occasions.

As for the term “Mother Goose” that seems to have originated from the 8th century with Bertrada II of Laon (mother of Charlemagne, the first emperor of the Holy Roman Empire) who was a patron of children and known as “Goose-foot Bertha” or “Queen Goosefoot” due to a malformation of her foot – but who really knows? What we do know is that this year’s panto is going to be egg- cellent and we want to see you there.

Mother Goose runs December 6th - 10th inclusive, at Christy Hall, Old Alresford: Tickets are £10 via www.ticketsource.co.uk/toads

Christmas Fayre. From 17th November through to the 18th

December. . A Christmas Carol: Bah humbug! Charles Dickens' celebrated novel will really get you into the Christmas spirit. The tale of the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge, his ghostly visitors and his redemption on the night before Christmas has entertained for generations. 23rd

November – 3rd December. . A Night Before Christmas: Who still believes in Father Christmas?

TFT's 40 min show is for our younger audiences to enjoy; suitable for children aged 7 or under. There will also be a photo opportunity with the characters. Exclusively on 9th, 10th and 11th December. . The Nutcracker: Travel to the land of the sweets for our final

Christmas treat and TFT's pantomime this year. Not to be missed…. 13th - 23rd December.

Kevin Fraser is TFT’s Artistic Director and Chair of Trustees: “Christmas is a special time for families, and what better way of spending the lead up to the holiday season with a trip to your local theatre? There is plenty to enjoy; our traditional Christmas fayre at the Great Barn with a chance to meet Father Christmas; A Night Before Christmas, a show specifically written for our younger audience; A Christmas Carol, Dickens’ celebrated novel; before finishing with TFT’s very own original pantomime, The Nutcracker. We can’t wait!” Find out more by visiting TFT’s website with details of all this year’s festive fun. You can also see a trailer of A Christmas Carol here.

For more information including booking tickets, please go to www.titchfieldfestivaltheatre.com or contact our Box Office on 0333 666 3366.