Panto is now twice the fun - oh yes it is!

A theatre group is doubling up for this year’s pantomime and says you will enjoy it… “oh yes, you will”.

Les Troubadours Britanniques de Limoux in the Aude are in rehearsal for their production of King Arthur and the Dragon, their fifth panto.

Every year they get bigger audiences, so there will be four performances this year, rather than the usual two – from December 6-8.

The idea for the theatre group started in 2012 when a group of friends who sang in a choir decided they wanted to do something fun.

They formed an association and in 18 months managed to raise €5,000.

Secretary and pantomime dame Paul Hughes said: “French people asked why didn’t we simply apply to the mairie for a grant? This shows a
cultural difference in our approach. We did not want to depend on the local authority.

“As word got around, people with a whole different set of skills began to come forward.

“Most had never done pantomime before but wanted to join in. Our sound man travelled the world with rock bands, our set designer was at the Central School of Art and Design, our costume designer went to the Ruskin School of Fine Art and worked in fashion and we now have a scriptwriter and director who has always been keen on amateur dramatics and taught English and drama. We have grown to a group of more than 40, with nationalities including French, Dutch, Belgian, American, Swedish and British.”

Their French audiences are growing and Mr Hughes said: “A lot of French people still have an outdated view of the Brits, so it is a way for them to see another side of us.”

Performances are held at Théâtre dans Les Vignes at Cornèze, between Limoux, where Les Troubadours Britanniques are based, and Carcassonne.
Tickets are €16 for adults and €9 for children, from tblticketsales@gmail.com or telephone 0468694145. For more details, visit the
lestroubadoursbrit.wixsite.com/lesite website.