Past Shows
The Legend of King Arthur
Another world premiere written and directed by Bev Beveridge. All the familiar ingredients of an age-old story - but not necessarily in the traditional order! We have nice witches, bad baddies and, of course, a parrot. Sanity reigns in the end, with everyone in the right place of course.
NODA review excerpt from Ann Lawson, Regional Representative of NODA South East:
"Something for everyone – audience participation by youngsters wearing crowns and men performing a singalong, Bev and Graham together with Fiona created another first-class family entertainment."
Raiders of the Lost Monarch
Winner of NODA's SE Region Best Panto 2018 Award. We were one of 242 drama clubs in the region so a fabulous achievement.
A Right Royal Panto and another world premiere written by Bev Beveridge. Over 800 came to see 5 shows and chortle along with the cats and the corgis, hiss the baddies, cheer the goodies, and spot the pantomime Cactus.
Tim Foster, Assistant Headmaster, Saint Ronans School:
"I want to say how much we (teachers and children) enjoyed the Panto again. A very funny script (or ad-lib!)…the cast were, as always, brilliant.."
Pinochio with a twist
A new panto in 2017, hand-crafted by our marvellous Director Bev Beveridge. This time: the true story of Pinocchio and what really happened when he lied! See our British Politicians get captured by the very bad Donny Trumpo, but saved in true Panto style by the tipsy Fairy Chardonnay. All the usual songs, dances & silliness that you'd expect from the Benenden Players.
NODA review excerpt from Ann Lawson, Regional Representative of NODA South East:
"Beverley’s ideas are amazing using a basic story adding up-to-the-moment events and characters, terrific local leg pulling, innuendo and audience participation."
Dick Turpin - The Panto
In 2016 we performed this classic Panto - but written and directed by Beverley Beveridge it contained some new surprises of course! It featured a record 80 people (from 8-80+ years) on stage and behind the scenes and played to record audiences over 5 shows (sell outs on Fri, Sat & Sun!). We had all the ingredients of a fabulous Panto: the good - the bad and ....a crocodile! Pirates and Indians, Children lost and found, Flying characters and Happy Ever Afters. What more could you want?
NODA review excerpt from Ann Lawson, Regional Representative of NODA South East:
"Congratulations to you all on a very funny, successful, quite different Dick Turpin"
Peter Pan - The Panto
In 2015 we performed this classic Panto - but written and directed by Beverley Beveridge it contained some new surprises of course! It featured a record 80 people (from 8-80+ years) on stage and behind the scenes and played to record audiences over 5 shows (sell outs on Fri, Sat & Sun!). We had all the ingredients of a fabulous Panto: the good - the bad and ....a crocodile! Pirates and Indians, Children lost and found, Flying characters and Happy Ever Afters. What more could you want?
NODA review excerpt:
"You've done it again Bev, writing and directing a terrific Peter Panto for Benenden Players who have again excelled themselves in producing a splendid evening's entertainment."
Scrooge - The Panto
Our succesful 2014 Panto twist on the classic ‘A Christmas Carol’, written & directed by Beverley Beveridge. Features Scrooge and his trusty mice, lovely Belle, (Bob) Marley and his troupe of Wailers and a story of love lost and found, redemption and a happy ending. All interspersed with song, dance and laughter. Performed by a HUGE cast of 45 aged from 8 - 80years old and assisted by an incredible backstage team.
Ann Lawson, Regional Representative of NODA South East said of this production:
"This production was faultless and I loved that fact that all your members are so included. This was a true village team effort from both the cast and back stage crew."
Sleeping Beauty
This traditional family pantomime was performed in January 2013 and was written & directed by Beverley Beveridge, with musical direction by Graham Beveridge
A new take on this classic fairy tale starring local talent from 8-80+ years in a feast of prose, jokes, song and dance. We have all the perfect ingredients: a king and queen, jesters, fairies (good and bad); goblins, mad cooks, a prince, not one, but three, princesses, and... a monkey (of course!).
Cinderella:
Our 2012 January production was written and co-directed by Dr Victoria Campbell and Bev Beveridge. This traditional panto featured singing and dancing from a cast of 60 ably supported by a large crew. As ever we played to a packed house and Mark Reid's rendition of Boomshakalak was more than memorable.
Beauty & The Beast:
Fulfilling a long held ambition of our ever romantic duo Musical Director Graham Beveridge and the multi-talented Bev Beveridge, this full Disney production was the biggest and perhaps most challenging show the players have ever staged. Beauty and the Beast brought the best out of not only the cast, who had to sing and dance in the full Disney musical style, but also inspired the costume, props and stage team to reach new heights.
Ann Lawson, Regional Representative of NODA South East said of this production:
'Tale as old as time' - Beauty and the Beast is probably one of Disney's finest romantic musical stories, seen now by millions. A huge project undertaken by Benenden Players, involving 100 cast and crew, two sets of children, a voluntary 14 piece orchestra, 155 costumes, a lot of money and hard work, culminating with an excellent performance.
