BBC Panto 2026

Saturday January 10th 2026 saw the latest production from the Berkhamsted Bowls Club Thespians ‘STRANGE DOINGS’ – to use their words – ‘A Sort of Pantomime, Sketch- Farce Combination blending the very ~~worst~~ best of each genre’.

and the Free Gift! ***Remember to use the arrows at the top left of the window below to leaf through the document***

Excuses Booklet

A fantastic Pantomime evening, great fun, lots of laughter following a delicious meal and a good crowd was royally entertained by the ‘not so professional but highly amusing cast’ who performed John Bell’s satirical take on our Bowls Club life admirably (Oh no they didn’t, Oh yes they did!). Moreover just under £400 was raised for club funds and almost £85 for the Hospice Collection. That was in addition to the ‘roaring trade’ at the bar so another good profit there!.

Obviously such an evening relies on the contributions of a number of people, so grateful thanks to the scriptwriter and producer John Bell, the cast: Jenny & Jim Belcher, Jackie Cormack, Diana Linklater, Jackie Healy, Phil Read and on musical production Chris Stares. Their dedication was amazing, the cast spent many, many hours on their scrips and perfecting their characters.

Particular thanks also to Noreen in the kitchen, Dave Drew & Paul Healy on the bar and Geoff Drew on Programmes – collecting money for the Hospice.

A great team effort which helped to make this one of the most successful evenings we have produced – shows what can be achieved by good team work.

Finally a massive thank you to the audience, first of all for coming and supporting us and your club but also joining in the fun of the evening, the cast loved & appreciated all the banter.

What will John do for the next production – I’m afraid we’ll have to wait and see!

Tony Smart & others were on hand to record the evenings antics for posterity (well at least this web site!) and their efforts are recorded in the gallery below.