Theatre group returns to stage with Rapunzel show

A THEATRE group, excited to be back on stage, is offering actors and back stage helpers the chance to take part in their pantomime.

Twyford and Ruscombe Theatre Group managed to stage their 2020 panto just before Covid took off. Enterprisingly, they managed to keep in touch with their audiences by staging well-received online “radio plays”.

Now they the award-winning group is planning to return to the stage with their 2022 panto Rapunzel. The panto is being directed by Pete King and Bill

Evans. Bill Evans is also looking forward to the challenge of building Rapunzel’s tower.

Pete King said: “Anyone interested in coming along on Tuesday, September 21 and Thursday, September23 is very welcome, there’s no need to contact me in advance.

“We have about 14 principal characters, a couple of those are smaller parts. We also need chorus members. The chorus involves singing and dancing but if people would rather just sing we can find places on stage for them.

“We’re looking for people back stage to do make up, props, prompting, set building, painting and costumes. We’re also always on the look out for help with lighting and sound.

“We’re serious about our shows but like to keep everything light hearted. We usually having a drink after our rehearsals and shows and we have an after show party.”

Other social events have included trips to the Mill at Sonning, tours of the Stanlake vineyard at Twyford, and visits to The Globe Theatre in London.” Important dates are:

Auditions, September 21 and 23 at 8pm in the Ruscombe Room at Loddon Hall, Twyford.

Rehearsals start on September 28, and continue on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Final rehearsals and performances January 9-16.

Performances are on Friday, January 14, at 7.45pm, Saturday, January 15, at 2pm and 7.45pm, Sunday, January 16, at 2pm.