St Mary’s Pantomime - Cinderella

Just another pantomime? Oh no it isn’t! St Mary’s Pantomime has a sixty-year heritage of faithful panto enthusiasts gathering together for their annual performance. This year the company have decided to mark their diamond anniversary with a reunion performance which will open this year’s run. Tickets for Saturday night’s show will be given over to all those who have been involved throughout the ages. All proceeds from the night will go to Cancer Research UK and the National Fire Brigade’s Benevolent Fund in memory of Pantomime Secretary Rick Courcha who died earlier this year.

Scriptwriter and member Andy Freeman told me what makes St Mary’s history something to celebrate. ‘One of the nicest things is the way in which families have maintained contact with the company, so that when you look down the cast list you will often see several of the same surname. It’s a real family experience.’ The programme operates on a six-year rotation and this year sees the return of Cinderella. ‘It is basically a traditional panto with a bit of juggling around with characters’, says writer Freeman. ‘But we like to make it relevant for Lewes and there will be lots of contemporary references.’ Any clues? ‘Well, parking meters will probably get a mention’, he laughs, ‘and I wouldn’t be surprised if the Lewes Arms debate cropped up!’ ER