Pantomimes at Harlow Wood

In 1978 some of the junior medical staff at Harlow Wood decided to put on a Christmas pantomime entitled Cinderella which was very cleverly scripted by members of the junior staff. They managed to include gags and take-offs of some of the consultants which caused great mirth. Many local firms very gladly gave sponsorship to offset the expenses, and ticket requests were so great that the pantomime had to be performed on four consecutive nights as it was held in the Recreation Room which had a stage. (See programme below).

The following year, December 1979 they decide to follow their success by producing and scripting Peter Pan which once again included take-offs of the consultants, the names of which I am sure previous staff will recognise, and which caused great hilarity.

January 1982 saw another production, this time entitled Alibarton and the Forty Thieves. Mr Barton was the hand surgeon at the hospital, and his name just lent itself to the title.

January 1984 saw a change of junior staff to script the next pantomime which was entitled Rumplestiltskin. It was decided to produce it to put all the proceeds towards the Theatre Instrument Fund. As Harlow Wood was a leading orthopaedic centre, not only for the country, but it also had a world renowned reputation with training facilities for doctors overseas, it performed many pioneering procedures. So new theatre instruments and equipment constantly needed replacing.

(Pages on Peter Pan and other pantomimes to be added separately.)