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Indian Queens pantomime society has a rich history of providing the village with an outstanding back catalogue of classic pantomime plays, from Jack and the Beanstalk, Dick Whittington and Pocahontas, writes Dom Philbin.
The title of the first pantomime was ‘Aladdin’ in 1947 and was performed by Indian Queens school children for two nights, on a Friday and Saturday at the village’s Victory Hall.
On the first night people thought it was just an ordinary school concert but they were very much mistaken, and on the second night they flocked in and had to stand at the side of the hall as there were not enough chairs. The performance raised a total of £30, which was deemed ‘very satisfactory’.
The second pantomime was ‘Mother Goose’ in 1949, which was a more successful production than even the first year. This was also performed in the Victory Hall on Friday and Saturday, 28th-29th January.
On each night the hall was overcrowded and the reception was so good that the children were asked to perform again for another two nights, the first night in aid of St John’s Ambulance and the second to help the cricket club and Victory Hall, with takings of £47.

The society took a break for a number of years before returning in 1984, and has been entertaining the local community consecutively for the past 40 years.
This February the society present their latest offering – ‘Sleeping Beauty’ – where they promise to transport the audience to a land of dreams and magic. The cast and crew are really looking forward to performing this year.
“It’s quite fun because its my first classic comedy role, so I have got all the cheesy jokes, and when I say cheesy, I mean Stilton level cheese, and I love it,” says Francesca, who will be playing the part of Muddles, the village idiot.
Director Sue Trebilcock added: “We’ve got the Dame, the village boy who shouts for the audience response, we’ve got the ‘it’s behind you’, we have the panto song and everything you would expect to see at a panto is there. It is all done excellently, the cast is absolutely fabulous and everybody is really pulling together to get this fabulous panto on the stage.”

The society has a talented and experienced cast, including this year’s dame Jonathan Tucker who will not only be playing ‘Nanny night nurse’ but will also be treading the boards later this year after being cast in the lead role of Jean Valjean in Les Miserables, which he will be performing at Cornwall’s iconic Minack Theatre.
Expect dazzling costumes, toe-tapping tunes, and a cast that will leave you in stitches with their hilarious antics. This timeless tale of good verses evil, adventure, and romance comes to life with their trademark pantomime magic.
Information is available from the Indian Queens Pantomime Society website and Facebook page, as well as CHAOS Radio’s What’s On guide.
So what are you waiting for? Grab your family and friends and join them for a ride filled with laughter, adventure, and a whole lot of fun, at Sleeping Beauty, the must see pantomime event of 2025.

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