The NOWTS

Each year Old Weston Village Hall is prepared for the biggest event of the year. The Hall is transformed into a small theatre by the erection of the stage and installation of lighting by volunteers. The New Old Weston Thespian Society (The NOWTS) are busy rehearsing their sixteenth pantomime to be presented for four performances in the middle of March. This year it is Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, again a new and original script by one of their founders, Tony Vaughan.

The group was founded in 1991 by Tony and his business associate Jim Taylor, landlords of The Swan next door. There are three objectives of the group - to have fun - to give pleasure to the audiences - and to make money for good causes.

Seat prices are kept low so that everyone may attend. Generous sponsorship enables the provision of a free souvenir program (see previous years' program covers here) and donations of an average of nearly £1000 a year to local and national good causes.

The cast is drawn from the village and its environs and a chorus of younger members adds sparkle to the show.

Early performances were captured in the form of cross stitch samplers, designed and stitched by Carol Leather, which now hang in The Swan.

Comments from previous audiences have included: "We won't bother with the professional shows again. They're not as good and they are too expensive", "We paid ten times that and it was rubbish". But the best ever comment was after the very first performance, by a lady with a very "refeened" accent who said "I found it a bit amateurish", and in the same breath, "Didn't I see you at Glyndebourne last season?"

2010 panto