Pantomime

The day for the full dress rehearsal of Burnham's Pantomime Society's 2005 production - Jack and the Beanstalk - was joyfully awaited by members of Burnham and Highbridge Gateway Club.
At York House, where several members reside, Staff were preparing their 'risk assessment' forms ready for the 'outing'.
Peter made a 'phone call to Joyce 'Is there a wheelchair readily available at the Princess? Rosie may need a chair if she has an epilectic fit and Brian needs one to sit in and we can only fit one chair into the mini 'bus with the number of members we are bringing on Thursday'
Joyce duly checked at the Princess - no, there is no wheelchair on the premises but there is access and provision at the front of the seating for wheelchairs during a performance. Car parking at the back of the hall for the mini-bus if there is space on arrival... But the caretaker was unaware that there would be an audience at all on Thursday.... and had not been asked for the seating to be put down....
Next stop Joyce called at the Red Cross loan shop in Victoria Street - could we borrow a wheelchair to take to the Princess for tonight's Pantomime? 'Yes - the cost is £5'...  Since Rosie already has her own wheelchair which could be wheeled from York House (weather permitting) this charge seemed rather excessive - especially as the provision of a wheelchair was 'in case' Rosie had an epilectic fit so we hoped it would not have to be used at all.... After the normal 'form filling' Joyce was allowed ro take the wheelchair and this was duly installed at the Princess, ready for the evening's performanace.
Seven oclock saw much excitement and the hall rapidly filled with noise and laughter ..... There were many more in the audience than the last couple of years and much tooing and froing up and down the steps to the toilets....
It was nice to see so many new young people in the Pantomime with the regular mature members of the caste supporting them - the singers were good and the dancers were a joy to watch - especially the dark scene where the flourescent figures float around the stage. The 'fairy' was delightful and the 'baddies' got all the boos deserved.... The musical directors were excellent - how much practice had they managed to get in with the cast? The costumes were all up to their usual tip top standard - as was the scenery.... and although there was plenty of puffs of smoke and lights etc. Rosie stood her ground and the chair remained folded up.. and next day was returned to the Red Cross shop ready for another worthy person to borrow........
All the members enjoyed the show especially Gillian who tried her best to outdo the chicken who was laying the golden eggs..........