Lindrick Players film virtual panto – available this month on YouTube

Lindrick Players came up with the idea for their Rumplestiltskin production during lockdown to lift the spirits of their members and audiences in the community.

The group’s chairperson Sarah Edgar told how after cancelling their May and September plays the society realised the panto was ‘not viable’.

After buying a greenscreen kit online they filmed the scenes in the gatehouse at Hodsock Priory - making the backgrounds look like drawings using computer software.

Lindrick Player pantos normally feature between 30-40 people however the streamable panto is acted with just eight people - including Sarah’s son Woody, 4.

Rehearsals were limited by the rule of six at the time - so not all players could rehearse at the same time.

After just one read-through the group started filming - completing the project within three weeks.

Sarah said: “It’s been a real adventure doing this and it’s allowed us to keep going – the society’s been going for 45 years and we didn’t want to stop.

“It’s only about 20 minutes long and so children should be able to sit through it quite easily.”

Lindrick Players have between 40-50 members and though they cannot presently meet or plan big productions Sarah says ‘we welcome anyone who wants to get involved in some way’.

Rumplestiltskin will be available on their YouTube channel from November 23.

The group are asking viewers to make a donation to Bassetlaw Foodbank HERE.

In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.