MyCornwall Magazine - Dec/Jan

St Stephen Pantomime Company performs its 76th production, and inspires a new novel
The village panto is the colourful
setting for author Angela Britnell’s
latest novel. A Little Christmas
Panto is set in the fictional village of
Polcarne, and draws heavily upon Angela’s
own experience with the historic St Stephen
Pantomime Company, which presents its
76th production - Robin Hood and the
Babes in the Wood - from January 29.
In the novel, troubled Hollywood heartthrob
Zach Broussard has abandoned
Tinseltown for a more private existence in
rural Cornwall. The last thing he wants is to
be railroaded into joining the community
pantomime production - but upon
meeting ex-concert pianist Rosey, he starts
to wonder whether he could change his
mind, and not just about acting....
Angela admits her own panto memories
are “lost in the mists of time”, but produces
photographic evidence including the
ensemble image shown below. "I was in
the Junior chorus rather than having an
acting part,” she says, “but it was great fun
to be involved with lots of the friends I was
growing up with."
The company was created by Harold
Lander in the 1940s to raise wartime funds
for the village, touring the clay villages
to entertain the wider community. The
group has seen highs and lows in its eight
decades, among the latter a devastating
case of fraud that threatened its very
existence. Fortunately, vigorous support
from St Stephen and its neighbours –
including fellow amateur groups – enabled
2020’s Sleeping Beauty, its 75th production,
to go ahead as planned.
A two-year break for the pandemic
did little to dim the enthusiasm - the
company returns with a team of more
than 80 volunteers, including a cast of 16
speaking parts, a 28-strong chorus line
and a backstage crew managing scenery
and props, lighting and sound, costumes,
music and front-of-house.
While most professional pantomimes take
place during December, amateur productions
are popular throughout Cornwall in January
and February. “It gives us all something to
look forward to after Christmas,” says musical
director Steve Polmounter.
Preparation begins straight after the
previous panto: calling in perusal scripts for
consideration - for many years, the company
has paid royalties to use professional scripts
by Alan Frayn - an initial readthrough in
June, auditions in July and twice-weekly
rehearsals from September.
The recipe: something for everyone.
“Panto is probably a child’s first experience
of a live show, so we’re looking for that
magic,” Steve explains, “as well as a bit
of innuendo that will go straight over their
heads but entertain the parents.”
Steve chooses the music, often writing
topical and amusing lyrics to chart tunes
that younger chorus members can learn
easily. "There aren’t many groups where
you can have eight-year-olds working
alongside 80-year-olds, and where we all
get along, learn from each other and have
fun,” he grins.
“We have children in the chorus whose
parents and grandparents were in the panto
too. It’s lovely to see, and for the tradition of
panto to be kept alive. Oh yes, it is!” l
A Little Christmas Panto is published by
Choc-Lit and available via Amazon.
Robin Hood & the Babes in the Wood
runs from January 29 to February 4 at St
Stephen Community Centre. For tickets,
call 01726 824248.
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Dick Whittington, Redruth
Regal Theatre, January 11 to 15.
redruth.merlincinemas.co.uk/home
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St Blazey Amateur Operatic Society:
Cinderella. January 21 to 28, The Keay
Theatre, St Austell. Tel 01726 879500
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Jack and the Beanstalk, Epworth
Centre, Helston, January 24 to 29,
www.helstontheatrecompany.co.uk
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