January 18 2016.


The Saturday matinee performance of Seaford Musical Theatre's pantomime 'Jack and the Beanstalk' had to be halted for 40 minutes after an elderly audience member suffered a suspected stroke.

The Barn Theatre performances are attended by Seaford Lifeguards for first aid assistance and Peter Gwilliam, chairman of the charity, was on duty and leapt to the woman's assistance. Paramedics swiftly attended the venue and took the lady to hospital where she is said to be comfortable and is being monitored.

Show Director, Paula Woolven, said; "We would like to thank this afternoon's patrons for their compassion and understanding when we had to halt our matinee performance. Our audience member is in the best hands now in hospital and we wish her a full and speedy recovery. The lady's family have expressed their thanks for the swift assistance from Peter Gwilliam and other volunteers at the Barn."

The opening show, last week, was a relaxed performance for over 80 guests with additional needs and their families and friends. BSL sign language interpreter, Lesley Russell, provided a signed explanation of the show for deaf audience members and was a huge hit.

The second show was attended by members of many Seaford community organisations including the Seaford Chamber of Commerce, Inner Wheel, Seaford TIC, The Lionesses, Seaford Community Cinema and the Mayor and Mayoress of Seaford, Councillor David and Mrs Marion Argent.

The show concludes next weekend (22-24 January).


Pictured : The cast of J&TB with (l-r) Eileen Lynch (Inner Wheel President), David and Marion Argent (Mayor and Mayoress of Seaford) and Alasdair Fortune (Chamber of Commerce President).