How it all began...

The Cumnor Players came into being in 2007 after a few wistful conversations on Cumnor School drive and, of course, later in the pub.

We were a small group with a sense of fun who wanted to use their talents and/or aspirations to bring a community creative idea into existence. A panto!- the sort of creative opportunity you are sometimes offered as children but that don't arise when you've grown up; the chance to dust off that guitar, stick your neck out and stand under the lights on stage or help pull together a visual feast. It was the opportunity to get people working together who would normally simply nod at each other on the school drive and, very importantly, a chance to share a project with our children. If funds could be raised for a local charity and the school along the way then that would be a fantastic reward for our efforts.
We didn't anticipate the level of talent in the village and the commitment that so many people were prepared to give.
 
Cinderella, our first project, was a tremendous success and helped raise money for Cumnor Village School and Vale House (Botley Alzheimer's residence). More importantly, in many ways, was the building of community-spirit that came about and the experience of involvement that it brought to everyone who worked alongside us.
 
The experience gained will certainly go a long way toward making our future productions even bigger and better!

The Management Team

The Organising Committee 2010

Ally Baker: Director
 Ally has no proper qualifications for writing, costuming or being in a pantomime beyond a life-long love of reading, a mother-taught enjoyment of sewing and a hitherto hidden desire for fooling around on stage. It seems that in some respects at least, life begins at 40.

Rachael Claridge: Musical Director
Rachael has progressed from being the pianist with the pink wig in the 2008 production of Peter Pan to take on the role of musical director in 2009 and again 2010 (well,...she and the band couldn't find employment elsewhere!)

Jacqui Lewis: Artistic Director
 Once a painter, now a florist with a taste for the theatrical and lots of experience in creating settings for weddings and parties that range from the beautiful to the bizarre; but none in the serious business of Panto. I’ve probably got a semi-informed eclectic vision that bounces from high art to street culture. With this I aspire to creating an interesting and visually balanced style and setting for our performances. Well that’s what it's supposed to be.  Much better at working to a tight deadline, I shall rely heavily upon the fantastic practical knowledge of our small group of constructors and my partners in crime on the committee to work during the day light hours.

Jon Heffernan: Technical Director
Having been commended for his "Outstanding contribution to the Benny Hill theme" in the 2007 production of Cinderella, he has since progressed up the ranks through musical director and director, and this year takes the role of technical director.

Shannon Stephen: Producer
Shannon once swapped the role of a Black Eyed Susan in The Jungle Book for that of soprano xylophone, but is now back to playing horticultural roles like trees.  As producer, she finds coordinating creatives about as impossible as managing academics (her day job).  And she's not sure if being likened to Lynda Snell from The Archers is entirely complimentary...

Paul Lyon: Treasurer

Joan Gardner: Production
 I moved to Cumnor Hill from London 10 years ago. All my friends are still surprised I'm involved in the Panto; I absolutely hate being in the spotlight! But I love working with the Panto folks who are a great bunch of people. I've helped  with admin, fundraising, the ticket sales, producing the programme -anything off stage really.

Amanda Gaydon: Production
A founder member of the Cumnor Players, Amanda has played Prince Charming and a pirate in previous productions...