Ali Baba meets Abba as Greatham Village Players bring pantomime back for January 2020

It’s almost panto time in Greatham again – oh yes it is!
Left to right: DarJie Ling played by Chloe Middleton, Rosie Lee played by Lauren Price, Cammie Mile played by Mathew Bray and Red Bush played by Sandra Hart.Left to right: DarJie Ling played by Chloe Middleton, Rosie Lee played by Lauren Price, Cammie Mile played by Mathew Bray and Red Bush played by Sandra Hart.
Left to right: DarJie Ling played by Chloe Middleton, Rosie Lee played by Lauren Price, Cammie Mile played by Mathew Bray and Red Bush played by Sandra Hart.

The Greatham Village Players are set to stage their 23rd pantomime featuring heroes, villains, dames, and the music of Abba.

This year, the players present Ali Baba in Abbastan at Greatham Community Centre, and people can take their seats from Wednesday, January 8, to Saturday, January 11.

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A players spokesman said: “Ali Baba is a fun filled family pantomime filled with singing, stunning costumes and silly jokes and the music is a tribute to Abba.

Ali Baba played by Rachel Holmes and Cassim Baba played by Hugh Stitt.Ali Baba played by Rachel Holmes and Cassim Baba played by Hugh Stitt.
Ali Baba played by Rachel Holmes and Cassim Baba played by Hugh Stitt.

“This is the 23rd pantomime by Greatham Village Players and features Brian Price as King Abbas appearing in his 22nd pantomime, his granddaughter Lauren Price playing Rosie Lee and her fiancé Mat playing a tea thief called Cammie Mile.

“This is a panto not to be missed; three dames, one baddie, four tea thieves and much more!”

The panto by Bob Heather and Cheryl Barratt has been adapted for the players by Hugh and Anita Stitt.

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The starring role of Ali Baba is filled by Rachel Holmes with her fiancé Adam playing Dame Fatima Baba.

Dame Fatima Baba played by Adam RobinsonDame Fatima Baba played by Adam Robinson
Dame Fatima Baba played by Adam Robinson

Hugh Stitt is playing one of his favourite roles of the baddie, Cassim Baba. And Kieron Johnson takes on the comic role of Assam Aggie, leader of the tea thieves.

The performance will be going ahead after Greatham Village Players’ overcame a major obstacle earlier in the year.

The group – which has staged the popular festive production in the village for 22 years – lost three experienced cast members and also needed more people to work behind the scenes.

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That was in May – after work had already started – to make sure the script, costumes, set and cast were all ready.

Emily as Carrots the Donkey.Emily as Carrots the Donkey.
Emily as Carrots the Donkey.

Last year’s production – Aladdin – was a sell out for its whole run.

Tickets for Ali Baba in Abbastan are £4 for the Wednesday and Thursday evening shows and £5 for Friday’s and Saturday’s performances.

Performances start at 7pm on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday and at 6.30pm on Saturday.

Tickets are available now from Richie’s village shop and Post Office in Greatham.

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