Local amateur dramatic group, Lancing Repertory Players, will transport their audiences to
warmer climes this January with their pantomime "Ali Baba". Set in the fictional Arabian town of
Aba Daba, the pantomime includes many exotic settings. Families with children of all ages will
love the oasis, ruined temple and the sultan's palace.
The story is a farfetched, funny fantasy, featuring the forty thieves give or take a few.
Shopkeeper Salli Baba scoffs when her son Ali sets off to search for the stronghold of the
despicable Desert Fox and his band of brigands. Along the way there are a few twists in the tale
but in the end the baddies get their just desserts.
The pantomime has been in rehearsal at the Rep's purposebuilt space in Lancing for the past
three months. Rehearsals in late December, however, became a little tricky when the roof
sprang several leaks. Pantomime Director Sue Duncan, talking at the last 2013 rehearsal, said
"Rehearsals have always been fun but recently the actors have had the added fun of having to
tiptoe round several buckets of rain water whilst moving across the stage. With all the recent
storms the cast will be as happy as the audience, imagining ourselves in hot Arabian nights."
The Lancing Rep pantomime is a tradition that goes back to 1953, and last year's very well
received "Robinson Crusoe" was the sixtieth anniversary pantomime. Performances were
played to full houses.
"Ali Baba" will be staged on 16th, 17th and 18th January at the Lancing Parish Hall. It features a
cast of over 13 actors from Lancing and Worthing and a dozen dancers from the
Worthingbased Hollis School of Dance and Drama. Live music comes from James Aylward and
The Band.
Tickets for "Ali Baba" are on sale now at £6 for children and £8 for adults. They can be reserved
by calling the box office (01903 243 558), or booking online (www.lancingrep.co.uk/boxoffice).
Cheques can also be sent to Box Office, 39 Melrose Avenue, Worthing BN13 1NU.
