LADS ON TOUR

The Lewes Arms Dramatic Society staged their first pantomime, Snow White and the Seven Dwarves in 1978. This production was inspired by a throwaway remark from the landlady at the time who noticed that her regular customers were appearing every Sunday evening dressed as Long John Silver Impersonators. Having suggested that they diverted their creativity into a fundraising activity, the pantomime tradition at the Lewes Arms was born with the first production raising money for the Lewes Lifeboat Appeal. Since then, the LADS have staged an annual pantomime, aimed at an adult audience and many local and national charities have benefited from the event over the years.

The Lewes Arms Dramatic Society (LADS) will be performing their 30^th Annual Charity Pantomime at the Lewes Constitutional Club, High Street, Lewes from 5 to 10^th March 2007. Their decision to take the production on tour this year stems from the current difficulties being experienced at the Lewes Arms following the pub's owners, Greene King, removing Harvey's beers.

Roz South, speaking on behalf of the LADS explained "We stage our annual pantomime in order to support charitable causes and over the last 29 years we have raised more than £60,000. This fundraising is at the very core of our activities and the LADS have come to the reluctant decision that it would be very difficult to stage a successful pantomime at the Lewes Arms this year. There is an especially poignant focus to our fundraising in 2007 since we will be supporting the Trust set up in memory of Sasha Spinelli, a former LADS trooper who was tragically killed in 2006.

"We remain very grateful for the support we've had from the Lewes Arms and its owners, tenants and managers over the last 29 years at the Lewes Arms and hope that we can return in less troubled times. However, following a generous offer of facilities, this year we will be presenting our touring production of 'Babes In The Hoodâ' at the Lewes Constitutional Club"