It is 1896 and Girton College, Cambridge, home to the first female university students, has just opened its doors. Its principal, Mrs Welsh, vows to steer the students through their education, while passionately petitioning for their right to graduate like their male contemporaries.
The group of new female students all come from varying backgrounds but they are bound by their belief that a woman is not solely limited to the home. Facing entrenched chauvinism from the establishment, academic rejection and violent misogynistic riots, the women continue to push for Cambridge University to treat them as equals.
Through their education in, and outside, the classroom, the women strive to prove that they are the equal to their male contemporaries. While following social rules and etiquette, they pull away from Victorian notions of the ‘natural woman’ and passionately pursue their academic ambitions.
Jessica Swale also wrote “Nell Gwyn”, which I directed for Wakefield Country Players 7 years ago. Swale has a reputation for writing stories about strong, inspiring women. This is partly what draws me to theatre, scripts that draw on history and at the same time have something to say about society. Hugh Neill (Director)
It takes a strong team to stage community theatre. Could you be more involved? Have a look at the ‘job descriptions’ page; this could be just the thing you are looking for.
It doesn’t need to be a committee position, you can volunteer for any aspect. Marketing skills are always really welcome, along with Tech skills.
********************************************************************NOVEMBER 2026 – PANTO TIME
Click HERE to register via our google form https://forms.gle/pWsGMsRdW7xPAaD6A
Character Characteristics
Wobie: Energetic ‘Buttons’ type. Connects very well with the audience. Sings.
Mrs Bumble: The Dame. Mum of Wobie and Barnabee. Good physical comedy timing and warm audience connection. Sings.
Mr Beazley: The Queen bee’s butler. Bumptious. Corpulent (or at least stands that way). Good physical comedy timing. Sings.
Barnabee: Connects well with the audience and can dance well.
Queen Beatrice: Has a regal stance but warm nature. Sings.
Bizzy Lizzy: Villainous evil wasp Queen. Communicates well with the audience as the panto villain – relishes being boo-ed at. Strong vocal skills. Sings.
Dizzy Fizzy: The wasp queen’s twin sister. Communicates well with the audience, is sarcastic and a secret goody. Winds her sister up. Sings.
Swatt: Lead hench-spider. Clever. Tricks the other spiders but is fond of them and protects them. Good physical comedy timing. Can sing and also lead community sing-song.
Insecticide and Pesticide: Daft duo of hench-spiders. Good physical comedy timing. Can lead community sing-song. Good audience connection.
2 Venus Fly-traps: Vapone(tta) & Mortine(a): Can sing well, roles have few lines.
Under Butlers Glunch, Glaur & Gype: Small roles. Appears in Act 1 mostly. Potential for extra multiple Under Butlers without lines. Good comedy timing.
Queen’s Attendants: Good loud voices. Not many lines.
Queen’s smallest attendant: Cute young person. No lines.
Herald: Good physical comedy timing, might suit a strong voiced teenager.
Morag’s Wrangler: Morag is just the head of a highland cow, looking over a wall. The wrangler will need to ensure Morag stays in character, and appears to be delivering the lines played over the speakers.
PLUS we need a fabulaous company to support,
Nelson Repertory Theatre 