in having fun and fundraising (in that order) wanted to ‘carry on' having fun in a ‘theatrical way'.

For several years before this the Kilsby Tennis Club had been putting on pantomimes and reviews in the Village Hall under the direction and guiding light of Jean Broome, and then, when a group of people enjoyed a Medieval Banquet at Coombe Abbev  they went away thinking that they could do something similar in the Village Hall.  So, under the auspices of the newly-formed Kilsby School Association, they approached Jean for help and the Theme Evenings were born.  The Village Hall was transformed and the medieval Banquet was followed by French, Roman, Greek, Hollywood and many other such evenings and, although two different organisations were involved, they were mainly  the same people.

Eventually , due to ill-health, people moving away from the Village and children growing up and leaving Kilsby School, these theatrical frolics ceased for. a while.  But ‘the theatre' was now in our blood and we had to perform. During a weak moment in the summer of 1989 we said `why don't we do a theme evening in aid of school funds' and so in September of that year we put on `Britain at War'.

Flushed with our success, we said, `we can do this - why not put on a pantomime? we should have a name' and in October 1989 the Kilsby Amateur Theatrical Society (KATS) came into being. Since then we have presented one and sometimes two productions each year. These have taken the form of four traditional pantomimes, one rather different children's entertainment and nine plays. The plays ranged from that sublime `comedy of manners'  `The Importance of Being Earnest' to the ridiculous in the form of farces such as  `See How They Run' and `Not Now Darling !` ,  but always comedies.  We have also, in conjunction with the current Kilsby School Association, put on two theme evenings.

Profits from KATS productions has helped local and national charities.  Charities benefiting include the Freidrichs Ataxia Association, Multiple Sclerosis Group, The Cheshire Homes, Relate, St Faith's Church, Kilsby School, Kilsby Village Hall and the Famine in Africa Appeal.  We have also managed to buy ourselves some stage lighting and hope to be able to purchase more of this in time.

How Kats Overate

Kats is an informal group. We do not have a constitution or a committee and we do not hold auditions. We have a reading of a play and if we like it we perform it. The Director casts the play, usually knowing what each person would like to do, and everyone is happy (we hope). It is very informal. We are always overjoyed to welcome new participants, either to act or to work backstage or `front of house' .Anyone with an interest in lighting, or who would like to foster an interest in lighting, or would like to take On publicity and ticket sales would be welcome with open arms. Our main `raison d'etre' is to enjoy ourselves and our enjoyment depends eventually on the enjoyment of our audience and the bigger the audience and the more they enjoy themselves, the more we enjoy ourselves.

What Next?

This year is also the tenth anniversary of KATS and we will be celebrating in various theatrical ways. Sadly our original inspiration, Jean Broome died over the Christmas period and we intend putting on a pantomime which will be dedicated to her memory she would love the idea that 'the show must go on' and we would like as many of the original 'tennis club' performers as possible to take part. This is in the very early stages of planning but will take place some time end of 1999/beginning of 2000 so it will be a millennial show.

So, watch this space and read future editions of the 'Kilsby Khronicle' for news of our anniversary events and what to do if you wish to take part.