Rearranged Northumberland YFC panto to take to Queen's Hall stage

Posted by The Journal on Feb 1, 10 09:01 AM in What's On

Members of Northumberland YFC 27-up will strut their stuff - better late than never - in a rearranged production of Aladdin this week.

The pantomime was originally scheduled to take place on January 9 and 10 at the Queen's Hall in Hexham but was cancelled for safety reasons because of the heavy snow.

Northumberland YFC panto- Charlottle Ridley, front, as Aladdin, with David Carr, the executioner, Geoff Hubbuck as Widow Twanky and Sarah Sparks as Wishee Washy

Northumberland YFC panto- Charlottle Ridley, front, as Aladdin, with David Carr, the executioner, Geoff Hubbuck as Widow Twanky and Sarah Sparks as Wishee Washy

Northumberland County Show secretary Gaynor Shotton, who is in the chorus and has appeared in every one of the productions since 1992, said: "Everyone was making it through to the rehearsals but we are all farmers with four-wheel drives.

"But really it [cancelling the performance] was the sensible thing to do. We were all ready but we've had three more weeks to practice."

The 27-up organisation is an offshoot of the Northumberland Young Farmers. It was started by a group of former YFC members when they reached 'kicking out' age.

However, the links between the two groups remain strong and all profits from the pantomime will go to Northumberland YFC.

The annual production normally makes between ÃÂ£3,000 and ÃÂ£4,000 but the costs of cancelling the show and a repeat of costume and printing expenses will eat into this year's profits.

The show, which is produced by Sue Dinning from Whittle Farm at Horsley, will be staged at 7pm tomorrow, (Tuesday, February 2) Wednesday and Thursday. Tickets are available from the Queen's Hall and Hexham Mart.

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