Drama group celebrating 60 years of staging annual community panto

Blackhall Drama Group has been putting on a show for the community since 1960 and still has a couple of original performers in the show.

This month they are performing Mother Goose at Blackhall Community Centre and organisers are promising lots of laughs, music and great dancing.

Margaret Stephenson, who has been part of the group for 46 years and is responsible for costumes and wardrobe, said: “This is our 60th year.

“There are one or two who were only children in the first one and they are still here.

“It’s a popular thing. For some people it is the only chance they have to see live theatre.”

Based on the traditional fairy tale of the goose that lays the golden egg, Mother Goose is produced for the drama group by Carole Scott, Catherine Hall and Francesca Hall who also play roles on stage.

It is a real hands on production with Margaret’s husband Alan drawing all of the scenery and the cast painting it.

Margaret added: “We are a good team. We are not professionals but we aim to be as high in the amateur bracket as we can get.

”I think the proof is in the pudding.”

The cast of 25 aged from 10 to 74, has been rehearsing since September and giving up more and more of their time as show time approaches.

“It’s very hard work. Some people give up their birthdays. The cast are now polishing the show.”

Mother Goose is on at 7pm from Tuesday, January 21, to Friday, January 24. And there is a 2pm matinee on Saturday, January 25.

Margaret said: “It’s a wonderful story. It is a long time since anyone has done Mother Goose.

“The music is really up to date and so is the dancing and the whole show.

“It’s funny and as usual has got a goodie and a baddie, a prince and princess and it all ends well.”

Tickets priced £5 are available now from the box office on (0191) 5867396.