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Dame Kitty's the Best - oh yes she is!

 
Left to right, Dame Epi Demic, Dame Kitty, Joan Neale and Dame Trott

Bournemouth's famous Dame Kitty is crowned 'Best Panto Dame'

Scores of panto fans, friends and family flocked to the Sovereign Centre on a cold and rainy night last Thursday to support 'their' Panto Dame as they took part in the final of the Centre's search for Dorset's Best Panto Dame and £2000 for their charity.

They gathered in keen anticipation of a great afternoon's entertainment and the Dames did not disappoint. The three Dames taking part were, Dame Epi Demic, currently appearing in 'One Step Beyond' at St Bernadette's Church Hall on Draycott Road; Dame Trott of Adventure Wonderland and Dame Kitty of Rubyz in Bournemouth who are doing 'Cinderella' for children's centre families in Bournemouth.

Each Dame was required to perform three skits incorporating a song, some jokes or tall tales and of course, crowd participation. There were too many highlights to mention including the spectacular costume changes, but a special thanks has to go to the children who 'taught' Dame Kitty to count, who helped Dame Epi with the animal noises in 'Old Macdonald' and who sang with Dame Trott.

In the end it was too close for any judge to call, so the event compere threw the decision over to the crowd, which crowned Dame Kitty the winner by acclamation. However, the cheering for all three gorgeous gals nearly took the roof off especially when Dame Kitty announced that she wanted to share some of the winnings with the charities of Dame Epi and Dame Trott.

Dame Kitty's own charity 'The Kitty Wish Foundation' supports Bournemouth Children's Centres, Young Carers, Women's Refuges and will be supporting many more charities next year. The Charity will be using some of the money to put on a spectacular Abba show for a group which supports adults with learning difficulties.

So at the end of a very successful evening, the crowd wound its way into the night and three local charities were a share of £2000 better off.

As Joan Neale, Centre Administrator and presenter of the prize cheque said, "Our thanks go to all three Dames who gave us a show to remember and our gratitude to the crowd which stayed all through the afternoon to show their support.