Strange things are afoot in the village of Kennington – with the village invaded by pirates and flamboyant dancers swaying to heady Brazilian rhythms.

This month Kennington Amateur Dramatic Society (KADS) are taking audiences on a fantastic journey, with a production of Robinson Crusoe and the Pirates.

Their annual pantomime takes on a tropical quality as the cast bring some feel-good fun to the winter.

The production of Alan P Frayn’s panto marks the start of the group’s 40th anniversary celebrations, and rehearsals are already well underway.

This promises to be a tropical, swashbuckling tale from a brilliant cast, with great songs from the house band to get the audience singing along. Add to this the wonderfully colourful costumes, makeup and scenery from the talented creative team, and you know you’re in for a treat.

The group, made up of amateur theatre enthusiasts, was formed in 1979 at the village hall in Kennington, and regularly performs pantomimes and musical shows for the community.

Members come from across Oxfordshire, some from families with several generations performing onstage together.

Many hours are spent not just rehearsing, but with a dedicated support team who give up their free time painting scenery, putting together the songs and music, designing and sewing the many costumes, choreographing the dance routines and doing all the other work behind the scenes that goes to making the show a success.

Oxford Mail:

As a community-minded group, they support local charities, and are currently raising funds for Ronald McDonald House Oxford. The charity provides a home-from-home service for parents and families of children being treated at the Oxford Children’s Hospital in Headington, and is an invaluable provision at a critical time.

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Ronald McDonald House is a cause close to members’ hearts, after a family within the group received invaluable support from the charity when their son received extensive care at Oxford and Birmingham children’s hospitals.

  • The show opens at Kennington Village Centre, Kennington Road, Kennington, tomorrow (curtain up at 7.30pm).
  • The show then continues on Saturday (show times 2pm and 7.30pm), Sunday (noon and 4pm), next Thursday, January 31 (7.30pm), next Friday, February 1 (7.30pm) and Saturday, February 2 (2pm and 7.30pm).
  • Tickets are £10 for adults, £8 concessions and £30 for a family of four, and are available from the box office by phone on 01865 739025 or by email at boxoffice@kenningtonads.co.uk.
  • Find out more about the group at facebook.com/KenningtonADS or at kenningtonads.co.uk.