PANTO SEASON: BEHIND THE SCENES - Without Books

You get the funniest of reactions when you take an emotional crutch away from someone. Remove a favourite comforter from a small child and you will have a very predictable result. Cricketer Neil McKenzie's South African team mates became so fed up with his numerous superstitions that they taped his bat to the ceiling of their dressing room. McKenzie not only scored a lot of runs that day, he adopted the bat-taping as another superstition.

The same is true of Cubbington Players tonight, for tonight is the first rehearsal where performers are banned from taking scripts on stage. This provokes a number of responses. Pete Staton and Ruth Hawkins have been working without scripts almost from the first rehearsal. At the other extreme, Pete's brother John has somehow not received the message that today is special and still clings to his 'book' like the aforementioned child. Ken Beer - mercifully restored to health following the accident of three weeks ago, although sporting a nasty cut and livid black eye - has obviously been hindered in learning his part.

Others battle on with a touching lack of confidence in themselves. Paul West chuckles at himself when he gets a line wrong. Cathy McKenzie pulls comedy faces every time her mind goes blank. Barry West has made a ferocious effort to learn his part, but keeps tripping up on his very last lines. In all, it is one of the most entertaining sessions so far.

Surprisingly, the high spot is a moment which no-one has had a chance to learn. Barry and John launch into a version of 'Lord of the Dance' the like of which you have never heard before or are unlikely to hear again. I've no intention of spoiling the surprise for you, you'll have to go and see the show for yourself.

Unrehearsed songs aside, the performance is certainly slick and efficient. There are so few stoppages, the cast are able to run through this particular Act three times in two hours, including breaks for coffee, notes and slight changes by the producers.

Yet some are still not satisfied. Whilst others are on stage, Ruth sits at the back of the room, eyes closed, silently mouthing lines from an entirely different part of the show. It is a sight which sums up the whole Cubbington Players experience - dedicated, but with a quirkiness that makes everything that little bit special.