What's on

POLITICS WHAT’S ON

The Panto’s Not On. OH YES IT IS! It’s January! It’s dark! It’s cold! Christmas is over and we’re all in tiers! We’re bored! We’re miserable! We want some laughs! WE WANT A PANTOMIME!

Of course you do. It’s that time of year. It’s only natural!

But the theatres are all closed. The seats are empty. The lights are off. The magic has gone… or has it?

This January, families will be able to enjoy Somerset’s own virtual panto from the comfort of their own homes.

Theatre makers in Somerset have come together to create the perfect solution for panto in a pandemic – each scene of ‘In Search of Cinderella’ has been filmed at a well-known theatre or arts centre to create an online performance.

As well as telling the traditional Cinderella story on the stages of Somerset’s well-known venues, In Search of Cinderella takes the audience to the cafes, bars and front-of-house areas of the theatres to see The Prince’s quest for the foot that fits the glass slipper. association with Somerset Film by Richard Crowe, who said:

“We’re creating something special with and for the people of Somerset. This is an opportunity to join across the county and celebrate what we’ve got and who we are. This story belongs to us – Somerset is Cinderella. We’re the county people drive through without stopping, and we’re the county that punches above its weight.

“As well as giving audiences a good time, we’re promoting our county’s theatres and arts centres at this difficult time. Everyone is welcome to watch the online performance for free – have a chuckle and a singalong on us! But if you can, the producers are asking for donations (whatever you feel it’s worth) that will go directly to help participating venues recover from the coronavirus crisis and help keep theatre live in Somerset.”

The participating venues are: Strode Theatre, Taunton Brewhouse, The Regal Theatre Minehead, Bridgwater Arts Centre, The David Hall South Petherton, and the performance will end with the Prince and Cinders’ wedding at Glastonbury Abbey.

Children at Butleigh C of E Primary School have recorded their ‘It’s behind you’ moments which will be included in the performance.

The project is funded by Arts Council England, Somerset West & Taunton Council, the BARN initiative (via Take Art) and by the people of Somerset and further afield, through a fundraiser.

In Search of Cinderella premieres online at 6pm on Wednesday 20 January. Information about the performance and competitions will be available at insearchofcinderella.com.

Blandford & District u3a invites you to join them for a talk on Zoom on 29 January at 14.30. No charge.

Rosemary Legrand will be speaking on the gardens in the Bay of Naples area.