Sidmouth families’ teamwork for Dick Whittington and his Cat panto

THIS year’s Sidmouth pantomime is a real family affair – both on stage and behind the scenes.

Heather Hodge has left her mum, Val Newton, in the spotlight in the chorus this year while she stage manages and husband Stan busy backstage, moving the scenery he has helped create.

Sidmouth Amateur Dramatic Society’s Dick Whittington and his Cat will open on Tuesday, December 28 and run until Tuesday, January 4, from 7.30pm, with four 2.30pm matinees.

Elizabeth Hammond, an experienced director and choreographer, is quick to point out that to create a slick, colourful, family feast of fun, it is important that everyone involved in the production gets equal recognition.

Also out of the limelight this year is Alexa, Jordan and Kyle Baker, who will be joining dad Graham backstage.

On stage there will be two father and daughters, Gavin and Holly Haines, who are playing King Rat and Alice Fitzwarren and Ashley and Megan Leeds.

Ashley has changed out of the Dame’s frocks this year to play Idle Jack and Megan is in the chorus.

Mums and their children are both on stage and behind the scenes. These include Christine Horth as Tommy the Cat, who will be chasing rats, Katrina, Robert and Demi Horth.

Chorus members Julie and Alex Salmon, Tanya, chaperone co-ordinator, rats Aidan and Autumn Rees and Lynette, wardrobe assistant and George Irish, chorus.

There are also many brothers and sisters in the chorus too, proving what a family orientated panto, Dick Whittington and his Cat is.

Tickets are on sale from the Manor Pavilion box office (01395) 514413.