By Anne Hopper

It’s panto time – “O yes, it is”!! Couldn’t resist that, but perhaps I should have, especially this early in the season! Auditions for the adult cast took place in late August – when few people were thinking of entertainment over Christmas and New Year – but the fairly recent change to autumnal temperatures will soon see the recently appointed cast of children joining the grown-ups now busy learning their lines for The Players’ 2023 pantomime - Red Riding Hood.
The youngsters will ease in gently with an hour of rehearsal each week during November, under the skilled tuition of Annette Squire, joining the adult cast for full rehearsals from December onwards.

Meantime, The Players are busy organising the essential backstage team – we are always interested in welcoming people who would like to be involved, but who shy away from actually performing. If that’s you – why not see what the Players can offer you – and if you would like to know more, do get in touch with us. Once again, the Players’ “panto-supremo” Bob Sampson is both writer and director and he will be happy to respond to any enquiries about backstage work – or help with lighting and sounds for those who love fiddling with switches! Please contact him directly at: sampson.bob@gmail.com. Online bookings open on 25th November but if you prefer to buy your tickets personally come along to the Theatre Box Office on the High Street on any Saturday morning from 2nd December from 10am to 1pm. We’ll have up to date information on booking tickets on the Players website: https://hurstplayers.org.uk/ Please get in touch - but beware of the wolf!