THE BOXFORD PANTO 2025!
Gepetto’s latest puppet comes to life and has a hard time becoming a real boy, assisted by the blue fairy and Figaro the dog, hindered by the greedy Rafaello and his henchmen who want to send him away and steal a profit, slightly inconvenienced by being swallowed by a whale.
Come and join us for a very entertaining evening in Boxford Village Hall and be prepared for a night of laughter.
Tickets are on sale 1st November from the Post Office or online by clicking below. Interval food is included in the Thursday, Friday and Saturday performances, not the Wednesday one which is earlier and, with the shorter interval, is directed at younger audiences who need to get to bed on time!
Pinocchio
A festive pantomime by Boxford Drama Group
Boxford Drama Group brought the classic tale of Pinocchio to life with warmth, humour and enormous community spirit in a delightful festive production written by Sally Philips. The talented cast and creative team transformed Boxford Village Hall into a world of colourful characters, lively storytelling and festive cheer, delivering a show over 4 nights that captivated the audiences.
James Tolputt made a wonderfully wicked Rafaello, an imposingly evil circus ringmaster whose schemes to steal Pinocchio added just the right touch of dramatic tension. His opening scenes were lifted by the spirited circus performers: Florence Beddis as the acrobat alongside Monica Murphy, Elaine Carpenter and Bronwen Cottrell – all of whom brought flair and lively movement to the stage.
Jeremy Morgan’s Dame, Sal Monella, delivered exactly the kind of playful, cheeky humour audiences look forward to, complete with café-themed jokes and a warm rapport with the crowd. Peter Korabik was a gentle, heartfelt Geppetto, looking every inch the devoted puppet-maker thanks to an excellent wig and costume. His longing for a son gave the story an emotional centre, beautifully complemented by Hannah Carpenter’s graceful performance as the Blue Fairy.
Ellie Chamberlain shone in the title role of Pinocchio, bringing charm, energy and a bright sense of innocence to every scene. Lenka Netopilikova’s Figaro was a delight, an exuberant and excitable dog whose boundless enthusiasm added humour and momentum throughout. Her lively presence helped drive the story forward, and her heroic moments in assisting Pinocchio to rescue Geppetto from the whale were especially enjoyable.
A standout highlight of the evening was the comedic duo of Al Fresco and Joe. Camilla East, in her debut performance with the group, was truly outstanding – delivering a pitch-perfect accent, impeccable timing and confident stage presence. She formed an excellent double act with Emily Barlow as Joe, and together they provided a reliable source of laughter.
Espresso (Angela Tolputt) and Cappuccino (Frances Korabik) were a constant and engaging presence throughout the production. The colourful jellyfish (Monica Murphy and Elaine Horne), complete with delightful umbrella costumes, added a playful and visually comic moment to the show. Mike Keith’s loud and confident Policeman brought another burst of energy to the scenes he patrolled.
Visually, the show was a triumph. David Philips’ set design was accomplished and inventive, creating a clear and colourful storybook setting. The costumes were equally impressive, adding colour, character and theatrical flair throughout. Lighting and sound, handled by Alan Clark and Rob Beddis, were effective and well suited to the production.
Directors Jane Lindekam and Janice Keith, along with producer Elaine Carpenter, steered the production with evident care and enthusiasm, bringing the best out of their cast. The backstage team worked seamlessly to keep the performance running smoothly, and the whole event was rounded off by a lovely Christmas dinner served during the interval by Dawn Mace and her team – a well-appreciated touch that added to the festive enjoyment.
Boxford Drama Group’s Pinocchio was a joyful production full of heart, creativity and memorable moments. It was clear that everyone involved gave their all, resulting in an uplifting evening of entertainment that celebrated the magic of pantomime
With thanks to Jeremy Morgan and Alison Barlow for the photographs.