Drama Queens, the amateur drama society for women, are this week keeping themselves busy practising their lines for another charity being held in aid of Hospice Malta.
Society members with ages ranging from mid-40s to nearly 80, are this time staging Snow White and the Curse of the Ice Queen at Sun City in Qawra.
The first of four performances running on separate dates is being held later this week.
There are 16 ladies swapping the clothes they normally wear daytime for a fluffy dress and make-up as they take to the boards to play a pantomime variation of the traditional fairy tale of Snow White.
“Rehearsals for our pantomimes begin in the middle of September, when scripts are issued and we all read for parts we are interested in and then as a group decide who should actually take on that role,” explains Andrea Llewellyn, chairwoman of Drama Queens.
“They have to be arranged around both Sun City busy evenings and other commitments our ladies may have, for example, a few of them volunteer in charity shops or still work part-time,” adds Llewellyn.
“I should however add that although we are a ‘ladies’ only group, the one exception to this is our lovely props and scenery person Ivor, husband of one of our ladies here.
“He has been with us from the beginning, so much so that we joke he is an ‘honourary’ Drama Queen,” she says.
Nearer to the shows, dates are increased to accommodate ‘dress and make-up’ rehearsals.
“I have had roles in the last two productions – however, for this pantomime, I wanted to have a go at directing the show, I wanted a new challenge and I got it!,” explains Ms Llewellyn.
As Drama Queens continues to evolve and grow, Ms Llewellyn is determined that the group will be around for a long, long time.
She keeps encouraging “new members to join a happy group, giving people the opportunity to try something new in a supportive and safe environment.
“We have so much fun and laughter along the way.”
• Snow White and the Curse of the Ice Queen is being held at Sun City Bar in Qawra on Friday at 7.30pm, Saturday and Sunday at 3pm and Monday at 7.30pm.
Anabel Spiteri from Hospice Malta will on Monday be presented with all proceeds raised.
Tickets at €4 (adults), and €3.50 (children up to 12) may be obtained from Sun City tomorrow from 10am to 2pm, on Thursday from 7 to 11pm or by calling 2765 5214/7703 7521. Tickets for Monday are sold out.