Yes, open mike, it's a small place, way out in South-West Victoria, where there's a mixture of old sheep-farmer families and retired people from Melbourne. Many of the new-comers are English so they know all about Pantomime.
Last time we did "Puss in Boots - A Pantomime". It was my read on the old folktale. Actually I just woke up one morning and it was in my head. I said to True-love, "I'm going to write a Pantomime". He said, "OK count me in". As it took shape the characters took on aspects of the various people who were going to play the parts. I was quite overwhelmed by the way people worked at it. An artist friend made us a pantomime donkey and a carpenter and his daughter played that part. His mates all came to the show and he's now known among them as EE-AW.
Hildebrand played Puss as a smart-ass New York type. I used the character who inherits Puss as the Principle Boy. I had to step into the part of Dame at the last minute - long story. It meant breaking with tradition but it worked. Had no idea I could act. Turns out I can over-act, it seems, and that's what is required of the Dame. We all looked great. I was so excited seeing it come to life. And now here we go again. We'll start on the next play after Christmas. Cheers, Joy