Ovingdean panto set to return this weekend

The showing of Alice in Wonderland by the Ovingdean Little Theatre group will be this weekend, with tickets still available.

The uncertainty around the surge in Omicron cases in January forced organisers to postpone the panto.

But the cast and crew have kept their spirits up and carried on with rehearsals since then and will be performing the show at Ovingdean Village Hall in Ovingdean Road, near Brighton.

There are three performances, starting on Saturday, March 26 at 2pm, before a 7pm showing the same night. The last showing will be 2pm on Sunday, March 27.

Lynda Hyde, fourth from left, with some of the cast of the panto

Cast member Lynda Hyde, who plays the queen of hearts and the mock turtle, said it was a “testament to the community” that the performance is going ahead.

Away from her weekend on stage, Lynda is also the Rottingdean by-election candidate after Cllr Joe Miller resigned suddenly last week.

Lynda said: “I was delighted to be asked for a second time to join the cast of the panto and the community have a lot of fun producing this pantomime.

“Ovingdean is a fantastic community and the residents are always pleased to come and support the local pantomime.

“While there was initial disappointment with the cancellation in January, the cast and crew were determined that the show must go on.

“Jeanie Civil the producer has done a great job in overcoming the delays caused by Covid. 

“We have a number of children and young people in the pantomime and Jeanie is very keen to encourage them and help them with their acting.

“It has been nice to see the young people grown in confidence and ability during the rehearsals, as have I!

“There are still some tickets available for this wonderful community project and we encourage people across the area to come and support it.”

Tickets cost £7 for adults, with a reduction for children. To buy a ticket, call Jeanie Civil on 01273 305221.