Panto time in Staindrop as girls keep tradition alive

IT'S panto time in Staindrop... oh yes it is!
The village’s Guides, Brownies and Rainbows took to the stage with three sell-out performances of Dick Whittington at the Scarth Hall.
The young cast began rehearsals in September to ensure it was all right on the night as they continued a panto tradition dating back to 1981. It was the first time Staindrop troupe had performed Dick Whittington since 2008, with the script tweaked to ensure it was relevant to a 2016 audience.
The speaking parts were taken by the Guides, with the Brownies singing and dancing and the Rainbows joining in the singing. Guide leader Karen Thompson said the youngsters had been looking forward to getting up on stage.
“Some of the Guides have been doing this since they were five and they are now 14,” she said. “It’s also good for the little ones to have something to aspire to and from a confidence thing – it’s phenomenal. Seeing them go from being very nervous the first time to then wanting the biggest parts is amazing.
“I also see former Guides now in their 20s and 30s who always ask if we are still doing the panto. The whole village loves it,” added Ms Thompson.