WHILE the New Theatre played host to professional pantomimes, amateur groups in Oxfordshire produced their own Christmas and New Year shows.

Among them were the Osberton Radiators Dramatic Society in Oxford and the Women’s Institute at Weston-on-the-Green.

The Osberton drama group was attached to the factory in Woodstock Road, which made radiators and other parts for cars produced at Cowley.

It delighted audiences with Babes in the Wood in January 1959.

The Oxford Mail critic was somewhat scathing at the start of his report, claiming that “most of the trickier jokes fell flat and occasional blank pauses did little to help”.

However, he later heaped praise on the cast and production team.

“The principal boy, played by Pamela Newman, was charming and well supported by her band of followers.

“The voices of Fred Discoll (Little John) and Margaret Rough (Fairy Sunbeam) in particular were an asset.

“A feature was the performance of the band under the leadership of John Liebermann, while some of Daphne Miles’s pupils danced delightfully.

“The sets added immeasurably to the general effect and Marshall Spencer is to be congratulated on his artistic execution.”

Weston Women’s Institute put on a show in 1971 to raise money for a new village hall.

The play was staged in the old hall, which was celebrating its golden jubilee and a replacement was badly needed. The show featured a concert with songs from Oliver, scenes from Dickens and a 20-minute pantomime.

Producer Margaret Fissendon and 13 other WI members spent 13 weeks making costumes and props and rehearsing the show.