Clarbeston Road Players line up a perfect panto

9:00am Thursday 27th November 2008

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More than 30 years ago, the Clarbeston Road Players was set up by Chriswen Vaughan who lived in the village.

The group is back again this year with its Christmas pantomime, Mother Goose.

Players’ members are drawn from the surrounding areas, Spittal, Llys-y-fran, Robeston Wathen, Llawhaden, as well as Wiston, Walton East and Clarbeston Road itself.

In the early years, the group put on a play each spring, sometimes one act, sometimes three, sometimes with a mixed cast and sometimes with women only, depending on what actors were available. Men are usually in short supply, but there are plenty joining in at the moment.

Pantomime director, Bobby Sheldrake, said: “As we increased in numbers we became more ambitious, adding a Christmas panto to our production schedule. As in all drama groups the membership rises and falls as people leave or move into the area, kids grow up and sadly some members die and are sorely missed.”

He added: “We were founder members of the Pembrokeshire Drama Association, contributing several plays to the annual One Act Festival at the Torch Theatre.

“Unfortunately the date of this festival is very close to when we stage our spring production, so doing both depends on our numbers. “We have won awards in both festivals.”

Two years ago Clarbeston Road Players staged a murder mystery supper evening.

It was such a success that the group were approached by other venues, including the Plas Hyfred in Narberth to bring their talents to a wider audience. Since then the group have taken part in three outstanding murder mystery evenings.

“This is an entirely new concept to us as it involves improvisation as well as scripted scenarios and musical numbers.

“We hope to continue this partnership into 2009,” added Bobby.

The acting team is strongly supported by the design and stage crew, dedicated sound and lighting technicians and numerous members of the community who man the door, make the teas and contribute in many other ways.

Bobby said: “It is a real community effort, the chorus changes in the football changing rooms, the adults use the playgroup room, everyone co-operates brilliantly, but then that is what this community is all about.

“Our actors travel from many areas of Pembrokeshire, as do our audiences.

“One group catches the train from Haverfordwest, has a pre-show drink in The Cross, followed later in the evening by a post-show drink, or two, and home on the midnight train!”

The group is already preparing for next year’s production of Devil May Care by Jim Sperinck for the Torch Theatre One Act Festival and The Haunting of Harold for the spring production.

There are also plans for a one-act play to give younger members of Clarbeston Road Players a chance of acting outside of panto season.

Mother Goose, also by Jim Sperinck, is at the Memorial Hall, Clarbeston Road, on Thursday, November 27th, 28th and 29th as well as Friday, December 5th and Saturday, December 6th.

Tickets are £6 (£2 for