THE Holsworthy Rotary Club staged its 15th charity ‘Extravaganza’ on Friday, March 23, at HATS Theatre in Holsworthy.

The event showcased local talent and raised valuable funds, which the club will use to support causes and organisations in and around Holsworthy.

This year the extravaganza played host to the Ashwater Community Steel Band, who brought the sound of the Caribbean to a chilly evening in Devon.

When the audience closed their eyes, they could almost taste the rum punch.

Two outstanding singers provided more musical entertainment, Leanne Johns and Jo Taskis, who sang a variety of songs from famous musicals.

A pig-farmer from Shebbear also added to the musical entertainment and sang an impenetrable song that no-one — even he — understood.

David Jones gave a monologue ‘My Word, You Do Look Queer’ and Slack Alice from Ashwater performed with a piano, and her feet, which defied imagination.

‘All at C’, a fledgling banjo band from Bude, played a sing-a-long medley, which loosened the audience’s vocal cords and New Orleans jazz was performed by the Union Chapel Jazz Band.

Also thrilling the audience with a piano performance was Liz Jones and David Robinson, who used their four hands to play a Hungarian Dance followed by two pieces played by David alone.

Magician Jack Lovegrove stunned everyone when he, with the help of two audience members, performed two mind-reading tasks that left everyone wondering how it was done.

Injecting a bit of comedy was Alf, Bert and Spike who provided insightful commentary on the affairs in Holsworthy.

The headline event for the evening though, in which a mystery lady, whose only English words were ‘okey dokey’, was fired from a cannon by ‘Nai’. Fortunately, the lady did survive the ordeal.

The evening was ably and humorously compered by the suave Ian Chouffot, from the Rotary Club.

Clifford Vickery, president of the Hoslworthy Rotary Club, expressed his thanks to all the performers, the members of HATS who helped with the production and the audience for their support.

It was generally agreed that this Extravaganza was one of the very best yet and raised over £1,500, which the club will put to good use over the next year.