All aboard the Deadwood Stage for Purton's cowboy pantomime (From Swindon Advertiser)

All aboard the Deadwood Stage for Purton's cowboy pantomime

9:58am Wednesday 8th February 2012 in News

Yee Ha! Mosey on down to Way Out Western 2, a new panto, in Purton this week.

All 30 cast members of the Purton Amateur Dramatic Society have been learning gun slinging and swagger skills since October under the direction of Sue Richardson.

The panto stars some rum characters such as Maw Boot and her two dopey sons, played by veteran actors Lindsey Hall, Tony Richardson, who is the writer of the cowboy tale, and Graham Bates.

Lindsay said: “We have some special effects as cowboys fly through windows and have broken bottles over their heads - not real ones.’’ Calico Annie, played by Christine Saunders, provides the slapstick as the leader of a gang of female builders.

The Bisto Kidd, played by Eilish Dickson and Miss Dara Diddle played by Maxine Reid are the romantic leads.

The story has all the hallmarks of a classic panto with slapstick shootouts, bar room brawls and gun fights with the mysterious Cool-Hand Cucumber flitting in and out of the tale.

“We have some special effects as cowboys fly through windows and have broken bottles over their heads - not real ones.’’

- Lindsey Hall

The plot thickens when the Deadwood stage takes centre stage with its precious cargo of sweets, the Scrawnee tribe catch the posse heading out arose the plains to Stodge City, and the French can-can dancers perform a hoedown in the saloon.

Way Out Western 2 runs from Thursday to Saturday at 7.30pm and matinee at 2.30pm on Saturday. Tickets are £6, and £3 concessions from 01793 771890.