HAIL CAESAR!
All credit to Freemantle and Shirley Amateur Theatrical Society (F.A.S.A.T.S.) for presenting a pantomime with a real difference. This is not your usual Cinderella, Dick Whittington and the like.
This was a mad story set in 55 BC (Before Covid!).
It combined the ladies of the WI and their knitting needles, a shape shifting James Bond who becomes a lion, a Roman Emperor with multiple plots to kill him, two ugly sisters, a manic soothsayer who says ‘sooth’ a lot, a Colosseum O2 Arena, arranged marriages, an audience sing along to Amore and lots of bad jokes that made me laugh.
There is even the customary joke at the expense of nearby Millbrook!
A large cast of over 20 are helped along by narrator, Lurkio Ludicrous, who guides you when to Boo and when to Salute.
Not so much Up Pompeii as Up Shirley!
Hard to believe it works but it really does.
Do get along to Freemantle and Shirley Community Centre to see how it all fits together for yourself. There are performances on Saturday 20 January at 2pm and 7.30pm.
This year’s Fasats charity collection is for ‘just like us’ which supports young LGBT+ people.
Plus do keep a lookout for the F.A.S.A.T.S. Charity Quiz Night on 18 February and the summer show on 14 and 15 June 2024.
For more information go to Facebook.com/FASATS.
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