It may be February – but Panto season isn’t yet behind us, at least not in Barkway. A troupe of seasoned local thespians are getting ready to present their 28th annual pantomime, Toad in a Hole.
As you might guess, the show is inspired by Kenneth Grahame’s Wind in the Willows. Full of colour, music and laughs, it features many of the well-loved characters from that tale, alongside others dreamed up by the Barkway Players’ in-house creative team.
Founder member and music director Edwin Kilby tells us that a Wind in the Willows-based show has been an ambition among the Barkway Players for some time.
“We always write our own material and try to create something different. The characters of Toad, Ratty and the friends are much-loved in English literature, and we’ve thought for some time that we could make a great pantomime using them, but we needed a suitably original storyline. This year our scriptwriting team have come up with a great idea which we think the audience will love.”
The Barkway Pantomime has become something of a community tradition. The present series has continued without a break since 1993. The event raises money to help support Barkway Village Hall, a registered charity. This year the Hall has invested heavily in new LED stage lighting, and the proceeds will help pay for it.
Edwin commented:
“Lifelong friendships have been made through the Barkway Players. And we introduce new faces every year. People love working on the panto, especially during what can be the dull month of January, when it all really comes together.”
New members are always welcome and, Edwin was keen to stress, you don’t have to live in Barkway to take part. More information is available on the Barkway Players’ web site and Facebook page, or you could email him at enquiries@barkwayplayers.org.uk
Toad in a Hole will be performed at Barkway Village Hall, 4 Cambridge Road, Barkway, SG8 8BS on:
Friday 7 February at 8pm
Saturday 8 February at 2pm
Saturday 8 February at 8pm
Tickets are available over the phone on 01763 797101 or online via www.barkwayplayers.org.uk
