Productions that Carnon Downs Drama Group has put on
8-9 July 2016
CDDG performed with the Royal Shakespeare Company touring production of “Midsummer Night’s Dream” in Stratford upon Avon 8-9 July 2016.
For those of you who are fans of CDDG and RSC here’s another glance of the action to watch just click here.
8-20 February 2016
Only the title of this pantomime, published in 2013, is reminiscent of the nursery rhyme, nothing else is remotely similar.
It’s the day of the grand fête in Merrydale, and Willard “Wiggles” Wigglesworth has brought his hot air balloon along to give rides to the townsfolk. Johnnie Blue has fallen in love with Susie Sidebottom, the Mayor’s daughter, but when the pair offend the evil witch Halloweena she is determined to exact revenge.
With zombies, demons, a yetti and squawker this pantomime is full of fun.
Find out what happens next by coming along to the see the show.
19 December 2015
This year Karnon Kidz performed a “Christmas Wizard of Oz” adapted for stage by Kathryn Schultz Miller. It is a seasonal twist on the traditional story of Dorothy and her dog Toto.
It’s Christmas Eve and the colours of the rainbow are gathered ready to tell their story when suddenly, it starts to snow in Kansas! With flying reindeer and talking trees, the yellow brick road takes Dorothy, Toto and their new friends to a very different Kingdom of Oz.
Come along and join in the festive fun. We can promise you jingle bells, snow angels and yes, there will be Brussels sprouts but don’t worry, it won’t be you that has to eat them.
Ticket price includes some seasonal refreshment but feel free to bring along more of your own to enjoy whilst watching the show.
You can get your tickets from our dedicated phone number 08454 500296 If the call goes to voicemail leave your details and the tickets you need, and your call will be returned.
28 – 31 October 2015
The resort in which the play is set is preparing for a boom time financially due to the successful marketing of its natural waters that feed the spa to which tourists will flock.
The local doctor discovers that the waters are dangerously contaminated and plans to announce his findings. This sets him and his family on a collision course with his brother the local Mayor. His idealism is set against the practical realities of the cost to the town, which lead to him being denounced as an, ‘enemy of the people’.
“A complex dramatization of issues surrounding pollution, personal responsibility in public office, media and political imperatives and loyalty to the state.” Financial Times
Hugely relevant to today’s issues of morality in the press and in Parliament. Can we afford to be idealistic?
27 – 30 May 2015
‘George! Where’s my medicine? George! Where’s my tea? George! What are you doing?’ Grouchy Grandma has come to stay and is complaining all the time and spoiling George’s half term holiday. He wants to read his adventure book quietly.
What can he do to make his horrible Grandma nicer? She really is a bit of a witch. He’ll try and invent a wonderful medicine for her.
Come and see what happens at Perranarworthal Village Memorial Hall when we present Roald Dahl’s story of “George’s Marvellous Medicine” adapted for the stage by David Wood at half term, Wednesday 27th to Saturday 30th May.
Keep a careful eye on what George does because he will want you to help him remember the recipe when he needs to make a second batch of medicine after something pretty amazing happens.
Watch out though – life on a farm can be very surprising!
19-21 February 2015
Perran-ar-worthal Village Hall
“It’s Utterly Panto” written by Rachel Feeny-Williams was staged in February 2015.
A brand new pantomime that contained many of our favourite fairy-tale characters.
With a colourful array of costumes, popular songs and all the elements of a traditional pantomime, this production was thoroughly enjoyed by audience members of all ages.
“When Goatel (Gretal) appeared I was completely in panto world” “Rapunzel and the nits had me laughing out loud” “completely brilliant” and “the best panto ever” were just some of the many, many favourable comments received.
20 December 2014
Perran-ar-worthal Village Hall
This ambitious production was performed by our younger members. It was fantastic and certainly not a simple piece to do. The songs were not easy but how well everyone sang them – we have some lovely voices emerging from this group, so WELL DONE all of you. And of course congratulations to Sam Barker and her hardworking team for making it possible.
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15-18 October 2014
Perran-ar-worthal Village Hall
Perranwell Boys 1914 was an original play written by Carnon Downs Drama Group Member, David Ivall.
The play set mainly in the trenches of France, followed the fortunes of a section of the Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry through the autumn of 1914.
Bevis Trinick, a young gentleman, and Alfred Dingle, a labouring lad, both join the regiment and end up in the same unit on the Western Front, Bevis as a lieutenant, Alfred as a private. The play follows their journey from Perranwell village, to the trenches, a field hospital and a French cafe.
Although, with such a theme, no one could expect a happy ending, there was plenty of humour and songs of the period along the way.
Download Perranwell Boys CDA Report.
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July 2014
Illogan Village Hall
Both ‘Just Hear My Voice’ and ‘Ghosts of Bedlam’ were entered by CDDG in the All England Theatre Festival competition in April.
In the Cornwall round Ann Lejeune picked up the award for best actress for her portrayal of Milly in ‘Ghosts of Bedlam’ and Kath Archer picked up best director for ‘Just Hear My Voice’.
‘Just Hear My Voice’ also won best play and went through 2 more rounds of the competition, reaching the semi-finals in teignemouth.
Both plays played to packed houses in Illogan Village Hall in July 2014.
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July 2018
Illogan Village Hall
Both ‘Just Hear My Voice’ and ‘Ghosts of Bedlam’ were entered by CDDG in the All England Theatre Festival competition in April.
In the Cornwall round Ann Lejeune picked up the award for best actress for her portrayal of Milly in ‘Ghosts of Bedlam’ and Kath Archer picked up best director for ‘Just Hear My Voice’.
‘Just Hear My Voice’ also won best play and went through 2 more rounds of the competition, reaching the semi-finals in teignemouth.
Both plays played to packed houses in Illogan Village Hall in July 2014.
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20-22 February 2014
Princess Pavillion, Falmouth
Written by Evie Payne.
Our buckles were swashed as Captain Hook and his buccaneering buffoons attempted to defeat Peter Pan once and for all.
Did man eater, Ms Croc O’Diall spoil Hook’s plans?
Would a stroppy teenage Tinkerbell be bothered to sprinkle her fairy dust?
A modern script but full of traditional pantomime elements Neverland and Back provided fun for all ages.
Oh yes it did!
21 December 2013
What’s that we hear you say? You’re not feeling Christmassy yet?
Don’t worry . . . we have the perfect answer to get you in the festive spirit . . . come and see the Karnon Kidz Khristmas Krackers,
With two performances, there’s no excuse for missing it!
We can guarantee to you Christmas carols, Christmas sketches, Christmas poems, Christmas songs, Christmas refreshments (including mulled wine – homemade by the very talented Elaine Gummow). . . in fact . . . just about anything that you can think of . . . and one or two things that you can’t! But above all, we will guarantee you a good time that will be suitable for all the family.
So come and support our enthusiastic and talented young cast who will be giving their all for your enjoyment.
17-19 October 2013
The “Deep Blue Sea” is set in Sept 1951 in a Britain that is still feeling the effects of the 2nd World War. It shows a profound understanding of the complexities of love in a set of characters realistically portrayed with unspoken feelings, buried emotions and hidden truths that fuel the comedy and drama.
The action begins with the discovery by her neighbours of Hester Collyer who has tried and failed to commit suicide. Sometime before, she left her husband, a respectable High Court Judge who is baffled by her rejection, for a semi-alcoholic ex R.A.F. pilot who hasn’t found a replacement for the thrill of the Battle of Britain and can’t match Hester’s sexual and emotional needs.
Her despair is recognised and understood by Mr Miller a refugee from Germany, interned and then struck off from medical practice following a notorious scandal. The aftershocks of her attempted suicide unravel throughout the play.
Widely regarded as Rattigan’s best play it is a complete exploration of his obsessive theme, the inequality of passion.
This amateur production of “The Deep Blue Sea” is presented by special arrangement with Samuel French, Ltd.
The production was reviewed by both the Cornwall Drama Association (CDA) and NODA; click on the link below to read their respective reviews.
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29 May – 1 June 2013
Penryn College Amphitheatre
Karnon Kidz were delighted to announce their latest show G2K Oklahoma! . . . based on that well known musical!
With 30 children, supported by an award winning team the show was a rip roaring evening, full of laughter and tears as all good shows should be.
Directed by Sam Barker and Jason Lessiter, this was their fourth collaboration and it gave them many challenges . . . the biggest being ‘how you pronounce Ado Annie’ !
The cast was led by Matt Horwell, Megan McKenna, Finn Howard, Dottie Squibb, Nathan Veall and who could forget Natallie Ballet as Aunt Eller.
This really was a showstopping production.
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21-23 February 2013
Princess Pavillion, Falmouth
This was our first outing to Princess Paviion in Falmouth and we were all very excited about performing “Cinderella”, a traditional pantomime for all the family.
Those who came along joined in with all their favourite characters as this magical fairy-tale unfolded with fun and laughter.
You could only admire our youngsters as they performed to rocking music that got everyone jiggling in their seats and were amazed as the fairies work ‘a kind of magic’ to ensure Cinders got to the ball.
Tradition dictated a happy ending but just who would marry who? February used to be a dull month but not anymore, Panto was back in town.
Cinderella
December 2012
The Nutcracker and the Mouse King is a story written in 1816 by E. T. A. Hoffmann in which young Marie Stahlbaum’s favourite Christmas toy, the Nutcracker, comes alive and, after defeating the evil Mouse King in battle, whisks her away to a magical kingdom populated by dolls.
In 1892, the Russian Tchaikovsky turned Alexandre Dumas père’s adaptation of the story into the ballet The Nutcracker, which became one of Tchaikovsky’s most famous compositions.
Karnon Kidz presented their version of the story utilising the amazing music of Tchaikovsky, from a script based on the original story by Hoffmann.
With a cast of nearly thirty children directed by Samantha Barker and Jason Lessiter with singing, dancing and a truly awesome Rat Rap, it was a wonderful way to start the Festive season.
October 2012
When Annie’s husband John dies of Leukaemia, she and best friend Chris resolve to raise money for a new settee in the local hospital waiting room. They manage to persuade four fellow Women’s Institute members, Cora, Celia, Ruth and Jessie, to pose with them for an ‘alternative’ calendar, with a little help from hospital porter and amateur photographer, Lawrence. The news of the women’s charitable venture spreads like wildfire and hordes of press soon descend on the small village of Knapeley in the Yorkshire Dales. The calendar is a success but Chris and Annie’s friendship is put to the test under the strain of their new-found fame.
Based on the true story of eleven WI members who posed for a calendar to raise money for the Leukaemia Research Fund, Calendar Girls opened at the Chichester Festival Theatre and has since become the fastest selling play in British history.
20-23 June 2012
In partnership with the National Trust (NT) and The Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) CDDG’s open air production of “The Tempest” was performed (damply) in the Courtyard of Trelissick Garden, a unique and beautiful NT property on the Fal Estuary.
CDDG explored the themes of the play from a female standpoint encouraging a shift of perspective by both actors and audience alike.
The play was visually magical, fast paced and accessible; you did not have to be a “Shakespeare specialist” to enjoy this production.
February 2012
Perranwell in the Dark Ages…
The Dark Ages were that period of history that fell between the Romans and the Normans (the bit they always missed out at school), when the Kings of Cornwall lived in Perranwell. That is why the pub is called the Royal Oak, of course, and the royal palace was about where the post office is now.
If your reaction is to say at once ‘Oh, no, it wasn’t’, there will be a rousing chorus of ‘Oh, yes, it was!’, because we are in the world of this year’s village pantomime. Jack the Giant Killer is based on the old Cornish legend of the brave lad who slew Giant Cormoran and Giant Blunderbore. In our version there is rather less slaying and rather more interest in the fate of the village pasty shop, driven into bankruptcy under the old-fashioned Mrs Goongumpus and revived by the progressive Perran and Worthal.
We’ll give to you a thrilling glimpse
Of piskies, giants and naughty imps.
We’ll teach you how to make a pasty
And how to deal with villains nasty.
Jack the Giant Killer has been written by David Ivall, who has been associated with Perranwell for over thirty years. We hope everyone in the village and surrounding area will come along to discover more about its (slightly fictionalised) history. Just think; this could be your only chance to attend a theatrical world première!
17 December 2011
