BUDE was in full panto swing recently, with BITS’ production of Aladdin!

Panto returned to Bude recently, and what a great welcome it received! Bude Independent Theatre Society, also known as ‘BITS’, presented ‘Aladdin’ at The Venue, recently, and was warmly received by the audience, so much so that the Saturday matinee performance was a sell out!

This was a vibrant, entertaining show from an outstanding cast, many of them panto novices, although they all gave such confident assured performances you wouldn’t have guessed!

With minimal sets apart from a wonderfully evocative backdrop designed and painted by Diane Betts, the small stage at the Venue was transformed, and the story of Aladdin brought to life, with of course all the regular panto must-haves — the Dame, the incredibly bad baddie, and two genies…plus an ostrich! Numerous other colourful characters helped make the show, all under the confident director, Matthew Long.

An added plus were the absolutely amazing, colourful costumes which added sparkle and glamour.

It would be wrong to single out an individual performance because the entire cast worked extremely hard to bring the show to life, but mention must be made of the superb band, under Hilary Daniel’s direction.

It was great to have live music to accompany the songs, and the musicians all worked hard to provide excellent musical backing.

The backstage crew, lighting and sound, and friendly and welcoming front of house staff all helped to make this a fun, enjoyable and family friendly pantomime.

The talented cast and crew at BITS look forward to bringing their next production to Bude!

Cast: Aladdin, Holly Highet; Twankey, Nick Compton; Wishee, Alex Coleman-Hallett; Mustapher, Mark Rosser; Genie of the Ring, Tony Price; Genie of the Lamp, David Trott; Princess Candy, Sarah Coleman; Hands, Di Betts; Knees, Linda Hull; Bumps, Louise Cowling; Sultan, Mark Walter; Grand Vizier, Emilia Jose; Lady in Waiting, Katie Coleman-Hallett; Brian, Graham Robertson.

Chorus: Ruby Gale, Bethan Price, Lilli Appleby Tremain, Matthew Bracknell, Katie Coleman-Hallett, Nim Robertson, Paulina Mikulla, Evelyn Highet, Annette Phillips.

Crew: director, Matthew Long; musical director, Hilary Daniel; choreographers, Jade Bale and Linda Hull; prompt, Sonjia Tremain; production manager, Graham Robertson; scenery, Di Betts; costumes, Sherry Bosdet at Stagefright; stage managers, Rob and Ali Parkin; rehearsal pianist, Roy Mackenzie; props, Sonjia Tremain and Pam Alexander; lighting and sound, Liam Drewery; child chaperone, Yvonne Jacquett; front of house, members and friends.