3rd February 2012

CREWKERNE: King Cactus is a real trooper

A TOWN hall drama nearly turned into a crisis when the panto King in Sleeping Beauty fainted backstage as the final curtain came down.

Worried members of the cast called an ambulance when His Highness keeled over last week - for real - at the end of the Tuesday-night dress rehearsal.

But King Cactus, played by Pete Drury, was soon back on his feet and went on to deliver right royal performances for the entire four-day run.

Panto director Ann Brolly said the team’s first concern was for Mr Drury’s health.

“The King passed-out backstage. He fainted.

“We called the ambulance, but he was absolutely fine and was able to perform for the rest of the week.”

She admitted having a moment of mild anxiety when she realised that a royal understudy might have to be recruited at short notice, crammed with lines, and properly kitted-out with a costume to fit.

But, fortunately, King Cactus was made of sterner stuff and decided not to abdicate at the eleventh hour.

This year’s production by the Crewkerne United Dramatic and Operatic Society played in front of packed houses on the Friday and Saturday nights, with only a fraction of the seats unsold on the Wednesday and Thursday nights.

Mrs Brolly said that for the time of year, the numbers supporting the panto had been excellent.

And, judging by the laughs, everyone who went thoroughly enjoyed the performance, she said.

“It was just such a colourful show. It went very well, indeed.

“There were a couple of moments that the audience wouldn’t have noticed. I did!

“But, we have got some very, very talented people.”

Production assistant Wendy Elliot, who was working feverishly backstage throughout, added: “We’ve had really positive feedback from people who saw it.

“Everyone thought it was a funny script and that the whole thing was slick and fast-moving.”

PICTURE: ALL’S WELL - The key characters take a bow. They are (back row, from left) Muddles (Amanda Perry), Fetch (Rob Stephens), Prince Alexis (Lucy Perry), Nurse Dottie Dettol (Martin Singleton), Princess Rose (Vikki Rolley), Queen Marigold (Helen Wickens), King Cactus (Pete Drury), with (front row) Good Fairy Lilac (Leonie Dash) and Bad Witch Hazel (Heidi Scott)

CREWKERNE: King Cactus is a real trooper

CREWKERNE: King Cactus is a real trooper

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