Author Archives: Simon Browning

The Pantomime is Happening!

The dress rehearsal is finished, the props are made, the sound and lighting has arrived, the grease paint is ready to be applied and the cast are raring to go.

Oh yes! we have a total extravaganza for you tomorrow night (Sunday 22nd) at The Fox at 6.00pm. Everyone is so hyped to bring you the best village pantomime yet. We just can’t wait. Me? I’ve not slept for two nights, so excited am I!

The weather forecast is for dry conditions which is all the cast ever ask for. We’ve performed for you in arctic conditions , we’ve even performed on ice! There is some wind in the forecast but, believe you me there’s always an abundance of hot air in our pantomimes so it won’t be a lot different! The show will go on!!

The cast have worked extra hard this year to bring you this wonderful opening to Christmas week. Please don’t miss it! There would be nothing worse than sitting down to your huge Christmas dinner with that glum look on all the faces around the table knowing that they had missed the best start to Christmas anyone could ever have! Don’t be that person!

Romeo had his Juliet, Arthur had his Knights, Romulus had his Remus (classy knowledge eh!) North Luffenham has it Christmas Pantomime!

We can’t wait to see you all there. It will be brilliant!

Storm Pantomime Hits North Luffenham!

Whilst many of you will have been hunkering down this morning trying to avoid the worst of this storm your intrepid village thespians were not to be distracted from their task of providing you with your best pantomime yet. Many of the cast bravely fought against the atrocious elements to attend the latest rehearsal today. And their bravery and dedication was there for all to see. Words really can’t sum up this years casts dedication, and they’re doing it all for you! There’s just two more rehearsals to go before the big event on 22nd December in The Fox Car Park and I am positive that the dedication shown by everyone involved will make that night one to remember and probably the best start to a Christmas you will ever have!

We are really looking forward to seeing everyone on 22nd. Only 15 more sleeps to go!! Keep calm!!

Pantomime 2024 Update!

Seriously, you must not miss this one!

Last night, as the temperature dropped, the intrepid cast held their first outdoor rehearsal. Up until now it has been too warm for this (fool)hardy team of thespians to venture outside. Nothing like near freezing temperatures to get the juices flowing and for Pete the Piper to wet his lips and have a quick toot on his pipes! Despite several near misses with cars entering and leaving the car park at The Fox our brave band of heroes and heroines battled on with only one thing on their minds (No it wasn’t getting back to the bar as soon as possible) and that thing is to bring you all another blockbuster OSCAR winning pantomime.

The pantomime is on 22nd December at 6.00pm. By then you will have all the presents brought and wrapped, the turkey safely in the fridge, the pigs all cutely wrapped up in their blankets, the pudding lurking in the cupboard. You’re all ready, nothing else to do, so what better way to usher in Christmas Day than watching the Village Pantomime! The cast would love to see you there for another brilliant evening of unending fun!

Please remember we do not charge for tickets but ask that you bring along a cash donation. All profits from this extravaganza go directly to support village good causes, so by donating generously you directly help to make North Luffenham an even more brilliant village to live in than it already is.

Not long to go! Mark the date in your diary and we will see you at The Fox on 22nd December!

Pantomime 2024!

I thought it was about time for an update! The date for this years pantomime has now been finalised. This year the Pantomime will be staged on Sunday 22nd December at 6.00pm in the Grand North Luffenham Theatre, better known as The Car Park at The Fox’ as in previous years. Please make a note of this in your diaries. As ever, it promises to be an extravaganza of gargantuan proportions. As in previous years the show is a “turn up and enjoy” event. There are no tickets on sale but as always we will be raising money for good causes within the village so please bring plenty of cash along with you on the night.

The cast have met twice now and I can promise you that, as always, we have hunted high and low to select only the very best of the nations thespianic community to star in this years production. It ceases to amaze me just where we find this talent each year. Some of the cast have actually threatened to learn their lines this year!!

So what better way to kick of the Christmas season that to spend the Sunday before Christmas immersed in some of the best theatre you will see this year.

See you there!!

North Luffenham Pantomime 2024!

Yes, it’s happening again. Despite several efforts by the theatrical world to prevent another thespianic travesty in North Luffenham again this year I am pleased to announce that all attempts have failed and there will be another theatrical extravaganza staged in December!

As in previous years we are looking for people who would like to take part in this drama. As you will all have evidenced from previous productions, little or no skill is required to participate!! We would love to have some new faces appear this year as several of our regulars have now got prior commitments this year with the Royal Shakespeare Company, The National Ballet and the English National Opera, such has been the recognition of their skills in the past!! ( Believe that and you just might believe the storyline this year!!)

If you would like to get involved we are holding a first meeting to reveal this years play and generally re-write the whole thing! on Thursday 24th October at 7.00pm in The Fox. It would be lovely to see you there so please come along and find out all about your hidden theatrical leanings!

See you there!

Simon

Safari Supper Update

The organising group for the Safari Supper met the other evening to discuss arrangements for the Safari Supper on the 8th June as the deadline for people to apply for this extravaganza is fast approaching. Please make sure you don’t miss out on this event by signing up for it as soon as you can. You will notice that the organisers are a bunch of true heavyweights when it comes to organising an event like this so it is bound to be a wonderful evening for all! A reminder the closing date to take part is 22nd April and if you want to sign up please contact the organisers by email on sbrowning@ eye1.co.uk. We look forward to hearing from you very soon!

North Luffenham Safari Supper 8th June 2024

Yes it’s back! The fun social event of the early summer. Balmy evenings convivial atmosphere, the village full of people wandering from one house to the next to be fed or to feed people. What’s not to like?

Saturday 8th June sees this great event make a roaring come back. If you would like to take part please email: sbrowning@eye1.co.uk to register. There are posters all around the village and you should have received an information leaflet through your door. If you want more information please also email the above address. Interest has been high so far and spaces are limited to 36 couples so if you want to be there on the North Luffenham Serengeti Plains on 8th June wandering the village taking part in this grand social event please register as soon as you can. The booking deadline for this not to be missed evening is 22nd April so make sure you do not miss out! The cost is £10 per couple. Even a lion would find that brilliant value!

Panto Day Has Arrived!

Last night saw the final rehearsal for this years pantomime. What an evening that was! The cast were on tip top form and the first ever full run through with lights and sound showed that everyone was ready for this evening at one level or another! Tonight will see another fantastic performance I am sure and we can’t wait to give you North Luffenham’s second pantomime. There were those who said it would never happen again. There were an awful lot more who said it should never happen again! We have confounded them all and 7.00 tonight in The Fox car park we will see a rebirth of some of the finest theatre you will see this year. We have even made national radio this morning with the news!

We look forward to seeing you all this evening for a festive night of fun and frolics!

Sinderella’s Despair Deepens!

With only one more rehearsal to go on Thursday, Tuesdays rehearsal saw The Two Ugly sisters turn on their worst powers to reduce Sinderella to the depths of despair! It’s hard to tell whether it was their interpretation of the script or just their acting that caused Sinderella to break down, but I fear it was probably the acting! Nevertheless the pantomime is looking truly amazing this year and I know we have a wonderful treat for you all. All the cast are literally itching to show you their thespianic talents. We hope to have found the cause of the itching by Friday!

So with just hours to go, and Lin brewing up the mulled wine for everyone to indulge in, we are looking forward to seeing you all on Friday. Don’t forget the pantomime starts at 7.00pm but there will be much merriment beforehand. Please remember to bring your spare cash along to make a contribution as we are not selling tickets. If you no longer use cash then please visit Lin’s mulled wine emporium where she will be able to take card card contributions as well.

The cast have been so dedicated this year and this year pantomime promises to be even better than last years. According to one theatre critic this will not be an overly difficult task to achieve. Please come along and judge for yourselves! The weather looks to be positively balmy!

1 week to go before Sinderella cops it! Can the Ugly Sisters triumph?

The cast all came together for their latest rehearsal today. Given the weather we did wonder whether this should be a synchronised swimming demo rather than a pantomime! But the weather forecast for Friday looks almost balmy so the panto gods are smiling on us!

Just to remind you all the pantomime is in the car park at The Fox on Friday 15th at 7.00pm. There are no tickets for this but we are asking for donations on the night so p[lease do come armed with some cash to donate to this annual extravaganza. Foer those who no longer carry cash there will be an opportunity for you to donate using your plastic or phone via sum up.

The proceeds will go to cover basic panto costs but in the main will go to the village good causes so please do consider donating generously to help these highly worthwile causes.

The cast and panto supporters have worked so hard this year and can’t wait to wow you with another thespian feast next Friday. See you at The Fox. There is no better way to kick off this years festive season!

Just a reminder from last year!

Pantomimne 2023 – Can one person cause so much chaos?

I felt it was time to update everyone on the progress of this year’s pantomime. We have now had some rehearsals and I can’t believe the quality of this years cast!!

This years pantomime features some burning topics that have hit the village this year, and quite possibly might reveal the miscreants behind those topics, so you just can’t miss finding out more!

The cast and backstage team (yes, we have one of those this year) will endeavour to make this years pantomime even better than last years (not difficult I hear some of you cry!) and, so far, judging by the dedication this looks to be a real blockbuster.

So, make sure it’s in your diary, 15th December at The Fox at 7.30. Start your Christmas with a bang!

See you there, and I will keep you posted.

It’s Back! North Luffenham Pantomime 2023 – The Sinful Sins of Sinderella!

Yes, it’s what everyone’s been waiting for all year, the return of the North Luffenham Pantomime. Put it in your diary so you don’t miss out on another thespianic happening to rival anything the National Theatre could ever dream of!

Date: Friday 15th December 2023

Venue: The Fox, North Luffenham

Time: 7.00pm

We had the first meeting of willing volunteers the other evening. Many of last years cast were there plus some very exciting new members. So the scene is set for another of those “special Pantomime moments” this December. There is till time to join in if you want to. Our next get together is on 31st October at The Fox at 8.00pm. (A fitting evening when ghosts come out of the closet and ghastly happenings are brought to light!) Please do come along.

Panto Meeting Reminder

Hi Everyone

It will not have escaped your notice that temperatures are falling rapidly. Therefore, based on the arctic conditions for last years panto, it must be pantomime time again!

This is just a quick reminder that the first meeting for this years pantomime will take place at 7.00 tomorrow (Tuesday) night at The Fox. Everyone is welcome to come along and join in. No acting ability is required (you should know this if you saw last years panto!) I would love as many people to be involved as want to be, either as actors (luvvies!!) or “behind the scenes”.

Looking forward to seeing you tomorrow night.

Simon

Pantomime Meeting Change of Date

Please note the date for this meeting has been moved from Thursday 12th October to Tuesday 17th October. The venue and time remain the same. Sorry about this but panto land is never straightforward!

Simon

Pantomime 2023!

Yes good people of North Luffenham it’s happening again. Following last years outstanding thespianic event, and having now been given the final medical all clear for those cast members who suffered frostbite as a result of their heroic efforts in the frozen wastes of The Fox Outdoor Theatre we are pleased to announce the start of this years BAFTA Award entry.

I know literally hundreds of people have been queueing at the Stage Door of the Fox throughout the year to take part in this years extravaganza. So please anyone who would like to participate, be it on stage (or ice rink if last year is anything to go by!), or behind the scenes, (lighting, scenery, sound etc.) please come along to the first planning meeting at 7.00 on Thursday 12th October in the upstairs rehearsal rooms at The Fox. No acting ability is required, just a willing heart and soul and a desire to take part in one of the country’s best pantomimes of 2023. Many have said last years effort cannot be repeated, many have demanded that last years effort is not repeated! Not only will it be repeated, I know it will be surpassed with all your brilliant input.

Looking forward to seeing as many of you as possible on 12th October.

Simon Browning

Garden Dining Table for sale

We have a 6 seater dining table for sale. (No chairs, just the table) It is pretty much brand new and unused as we now have two of them! (long story!) It has a grey metal base with a hard acacia wooden top. We only need one table and hence we are offering this one to the first person who offers a reasonable price for it. The full set of table and 6 chairs was in the region of £1500 and we are selling just the table. The table is flat packed but the top is fully assembled and just needs 7 bolts fitting to secure the base to the top. It is an excellent value table and will make a brilliant garden dining table for someone. Buyer will need to collect. If you are interested please contact me on -simonbrowning958@gmail.com.

Christmas Eve – Carols Around The Tree – The Fox

In true tradition why not join Chater Community Choir at The Fox today, Christmas Eve, at 6.30pm, for “Carols Around The Tree”

A truly joyous way to start the Christmas Festivities.

See you there!