Clubs and Groups

Pluckley Panto Unlimited
The origins of Pluckley Panto lie somewhere in 1984 following the Ghost Fayre organised by Anne Johnson to raise funds for the village hall, when a group was formed to produce a pantomime.

Under the direction of Judy Pool the first production, Over the Rainbow, a very local version of The Wizard of Oz, was put together entirely on a shoestring (with no costs wherever possible – most things begged, borrowed or stolen) for the express purpose of fund-raising for the hall. Every performance was sold out and audiences even trudged their way through several inches of snow to be there on the Saturday. The much-needed funds for the hall were raised and in January 1986 Pluckley Panto Unlimited was born.

Since then, under various scriptwriters and directors, a pantomime has been produced every year, performed usually on the last weekend in January or the first weekend in February. Sometimes the money raised has been split between different local charities, but at the moment the group is trying to refurbish the stage equipment and scenery as it is all over twenty years old so any profits made are being used to fund these projects.

Last year a new lighting system was installed with the help of various grants, and two new backdrops have recently been purchased. Several of the original members are still involved, cast come and go and newcomers are always welcome. Scripts are written to include all those who want to perform, whether 8 years old or 68 years old and the shows are aimed at family audiences.