Gallery
Review
Merton Park was treated to a great evening at this year’s pantomime. Ably directed by Chris Abbott, Ali Baba was a great success and, in a first for Parish Players, each performance was sold out in advance. One of the cast was making his second appearance in this panto, having been part of the previous version performed in 1966. Alongside him were members old and new. Kamil the Camel was a great favourite and new Dame performer James Enever – with a background in professional wrestling – joined the ranks of Parish Players who have played this role. One of the younger members of the cast also completed one section of her Duke of Edinburgh’s Award by taking part. Another first was a review on the This is Local London website, where their young reporter, Ishana Seward, commented on the happy atmosphere in the hall and said the show cured her January blues. Highlights for her were the camel dance, the cream pie fight and the audience song when Wiggly Woo made a return appearance after his debut some years ago. The charity chosen by Parish Players to receive 20% of the takings this year is Fayre & Square, who provide retail training in Merton for young people with disabilities.