The Start
Mr. George Keys formed the present Pantomime Society, initially known as the Llantwit Major Carnival Pantomime, in 1978. The Carnival Committee with a loan of £200 gave financial help. George Keys on this "shoe-string" budget produced the first pantomime "Cinderella".
The Years Since
In the intervening years from 1978 to the present, a pantomime has been produced annually. In the early years it was possible for the society to make enough money to give generous donations to local charities. However, owing to escalating costs, the society went through a period where they could barely break-even each year. Fortunately in recent years the audiences are now returning with the society managing to make a profit and able to again make donations to the local community.
Unforeseen Problems
All Pantomimes have meant hard work, but are always great fun, in spite and sometimes because of unforeseen problems. To mention a few: - one pantomime was performed with a Bearded Dame because the "Dame" refused point-blank to shave off his beard. So, at the performance, he wore hats swathed with scarves to cover his face.
In 1982 Aladdin was written and produced by Wendy Hall, a member of the society. She experienced many problems with her production but the worst fell on the weekend preceding the first performance - SNOW!
Llantwit Major was completely cut off by thick snow for a week. The rear end of the Camel was stranded 5 miles away. Male members of the society walked to Llanilltud Fawr Comprehensive School, which was the venue for the pantomime. They dug out paths through the snow and cleared as much as possible from the school entrance. It was thought the snow spelt disaster for the show. However, the stalwart public gave their usual support and walked to each performance. The successful pantomime was a sell-out. Not only that but the events were recorded in 'The Times'.
Following this, disaster really fell in 1991 when the Llanilltud Fawr Comprehensive School burnt down. This was the annual venue for the pantomimes. With the lighting equipment and scenery all lost in the fire only weeks before production we were completely baffled as what we should do next. Then a shining knight came forth in the guise of one David Ambrose, director of St Donat's Art Centre. He offered the use of the Tythe Barn Theatre at St. Donats for the next production and assisted the pantomime in every way.
Pinnochio, by Ron Hall, produced by Les Beckwith was the first pantomime of the society to be performed in the Tythe Barn Theatre. The public again supported this production very well and it proved a great success.
It has been followed since by Peter Pan and Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves, both produced by Angela Hawkins, and Dick Whittington, produced by Trish Pippin.
In Ali Baba there was further trouble. There was a power cut during one of the performances due to heavy storms and gales. Yet again the rear end of the Camel came to grief. He fell in the black-out and had to be substituted. Unfortunately, due to the power cut, the cast and audience had to leave the Theatre 15 minutes before the end of the performance, even though the cast had tried to continue with emergency lighting. To make amends complimentary copies of the video of the show were sent to the several of the groups who attended.
In 1996 we moved back into the rebuilt Llanilltud Fawr Comprehensive School and have been staging our productions there ever since. It is the continued support of the school that allows us to continue.
Another problem faced by the society was a very costly one. We rent a storage facility, Boverton Hall, from the local benefice for a peppercorn rent on the understanding that we keep up its repair. However it was found that the roof was in urgent need of substantial repair. We undertook to raise sufficient funds ourselves, approximately £4000, to have long-term remedy to the problem rather than a temporary cosmetic improvement. This we duly did so that in the summer of 1994 the hall roof was completely renewed with original slate tiles in keeping with its original character. Consequently we now use a completely secure and DRY hall to store all our props, scenery, costumes and other equipment.
The Summer Shows
Llantwit Major stages a Victorian Fayre Day every two years and to coincide with this event the Pantomime Society produce a Summer Show. The themes have been many and varied but originally consisted of a Master of Ceremony introducing acts, sketches, dances, chorus and solo numbers in the style of the BBC show "The Good Old Days". These have proved to be so popular that the Pantomime Society stages a Summer Show every year regardless of whether the town has a Fayre Day or not.
The Future
The pantomime society has always worked hard to ensure its Pantomimes are first class and after such a history have become, dare-we-say, professional in the true spirit of live theatre to ensure that "the show must go on." Since 1978 husbands, wives, cousins, nieces, children and grand-children have been involved. Large numbers of people are involved in the preparation of each production with the majority of costumes, scenery and props being made by the society members. Pantomime is firmly on Llantwit Major's (and the Vale's) Christmas Calendar. It promises good family entertainment with lots of fun and audience participation without costing the earth.
Young Talent
From the very start of our productions we have been proud to give school children of all ages the opportunity to perform and contribute to our productions. Not only does this give a much needed, though sometimes frustrating, enthusiasm and vitality to rehearsals and productions, it helps to ensure their continued membership to the society. It also encourages their friends and relations to come to performances and gives the young individuals more self-confidence to contemplate their forthcoming challenges in life, which may have nothing to do with pantomimes.
The success of this policy in giving youngsters parts to play is not dependent on any academic abilities but merely their drive to act or partake in some way from Principal Boy/Girl to the back-end of the Horse. All participants know their contribution plays a part in the success of the common goal, not to mention the "After-show" party.
The Essence Of The Society
The society has become a significant feature in the town of Llantwit Major. From the owner of the local Newsagent who gives us free sweets to give to the younger members of the audience during performances, usually by the dame, to the licensee of the local hostelry where we hold our "technical discussions".
Our regular audiences, which invariably sell out each night completely, testify to our popularity in the locale from Bridgend to Barry and beyond.
Over the years the membership profile has changed little with many families being involved. This of course does not mean that it is a society only for families, all are welcome to join. It does not matter if you can't act, sing or dance as there are many other jobs to do, so if you fancy joining in then Email us at the address shown below.
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