MYLOR YACHT CLUB has lived up to its reputation for staging an original pantomime/comedy drama, this year embracing perhaps the most challenging subject of all.

Written and directed by Roger Taylor and produced by Bernie Bagley, “It will all be over by Christmas” is a tribute to all those involved in or affected by The Great War 1914-1918, and showcases the very British sense of humour which helped many people to cope, both at home and in the trenches.

Following a sell-out success, on the final night cheques for £1000 each were presented to representatives from The Royal British Legion and Help for Heroes.

The show is set in 1914, at Hendrasfoot, a small village in Cornwall which is preparing for the annual Variety Show and talk is of the war in Europe.

News reaches the village that Britain has declared war on Germany, and a recruitment team in the guise of a travelling fundraising show arrives and performs. Dazzled by the glamorous showgirls the village lads are duped into enlisting, and after tearful farewells they march off.

Their sweethearts and the showgirls decide to help the war effort, some by joining the nursing team led by Lady Fanshaw at the new Manor House Hospital and the others by working at the local Munitions Factory – both situations offering plenty of opportunity for humour and slapstick comedy!

The action alternates between Cornwall and the trenches on the Western Front.

Patients run away from Doctor De’Ath at the Hospital and sparks fly at the Munitions Factory. At the Front there is a Christmas ceasefire and football match. Then comes the final push when the lads go over the top for the last time, just before peace is declared.

Anxious girls wait for news of the lads. Two return, then the other two followed by the Sergeant Major and the Officer. It is time for celebrations and a variety show takes place in the village hall, just as intended four years earlier.

Hendrasfoot – in reality Herodsfoot – was the only Cornish village where all those who went to fight returned, and one of only very few throughout the country – A Thankful Village.

The cast this year: The Village Lads Tommy, Percy, George and Johnny – Steve Nicholls, Mark Briggs, Gordon York and Tom Kumsang.

The Village Lasses Lucy, Tilly, Polly and Fanny – Di Taylor, Bron Freake, Rosey Briggs and Judy Beadel.

The Showgirls Maggie, Issy and Flo – Angela Ellicock, Lynne Fleming and Anne Ramsden, Lady Fanshaw – Sheila Standley, Sergeant Major – Simon Fleming, Officer – David Smith, Dr De’Ath – Roger Taylor, Patients Private Smith and Corporal Higgins – Patrick Farrell and Bernie Bagley, the News Vendor – Jakki Foote and stand-up comedian Jim – Simon Breckenfield.

They were supported by a strong team of stagehands managed by Liz Bagley together with impressive lighting, sound, scenery and props, call girls and front of house team.

This was the 27th pantomime staged by Mylor Yacht Club and allegedly the last of a long run by the talented Taylor-Bagley writer/director and producer team.

Presentations were made by the Commodore Viv Rose to Roger Taylor and to Liz and Bernie Bagley.