True romance on stage

LISKEARD Musical Theatre Company is to present 'Mack and Mabel' as its new production.

Set in the era of silent movies in Hollywood, the show is based on the true story of romance between film director, Mack Sennett - the man behind Keystone Kops - and Mabel Normand, a young girl soon to be his leading lady.

The story starts in a film studio in Brooklyn, New York, where Mack, a role taken on by Tim Coombe (who portrayed Tevye in the company's production of Fiddler on the Roof), meets Mabel, played by Tracey Thompson.

From that first meeting the audience follow them, and a host of characters, as they hit the big time and head for Hollywood.

Other roles are performed by Sarah Coad as Lottie Ames, Mack's previous leading lady, and Paul Thomas as comedy actor Fatty Arbuckle. Jeff Jeffery and Eric Priestley are Kleiman and Fox, whose financial backing enables the move from Brooklyn to Hollywood. The remainder of the crew are actors, stage crew, bathing beauties and Keystone Kops.

The story continues with Mack setting up his new studio and Mabel, not content with comedy roles, leaving to try to star in feature films. What happen next will be revealed in the production.

Directed and choreographed by Andrew Hawkins, who directed Fiddler on the Roof, and musically directed by Graham Williams, the show features songs such as 'Big Time', 'Tap your Troubles Away', and 'I won't be Sending Roses', lively dances, and a set with a difference.

Performances start on November 20 and continue until November 25 at Liskeard's Public Hall.

They will begin at 7.30pm with a matinee at 2.30pm on the Saturday. Tickets, costing £6 with some concessions, are available from The Flower Gallery, Fore Street, Liskeard (Tel 01579 342897).

Chamber objects on

car park charges

LISKEARD Chamber of Commerce members are not happy about plans to increase car parking charges in the town to pay for the introduction of concessionary bus fares for the elderly.

Although members were not against reduced fares they felt the money should be raised by other means.

The main feeling was that higher car parking charges would have a detrimental effect on businesses in the town.

Caradon Council are still discussing various options for increasing charges and although nothing has yet been decided one thing is certain, the charges will go up.

The extra revenue will go towards the new concessionary fares scheme, which Caradon are obliged to implement under new Government rulings.

Members heard that the scheme would cost in the region of £800,000, although not all this could be raised through higher parking charges.

Member Richard Crocker said that if members objected to parking fees financing this scheme they should involve other chambers of commerce in the district and ask for their views.

Eventually the meeting agreed to write to Caradon saying that they were objecting to higher parking charges to pay for the concessionary fare scheme.

Playwise meetings

PLAYWISE, a project of the Cornwall Rural Community Council and Cornwall Play Association, held its first network meeting on Thursday.

The meeting took place at the Lord Eliot Hotel in Liskeard and was attended by representatives from various organisations including Liskeard Town Council, Liskeard School and Community College, and Linkinhorne, South Hill and Duloe Parish Councils.

The aim of the meeting was to provide an opportunity for anyone with an interest in play, to be able to meet with likeminded people and discuss any play issues or needs that are not being met in the area.

The next meeting in the Liskeard are will be held on Thursday, January 11, 2001 and anyone is welcome to attend. For more details, contact the Playwise Office on 01872 279977.

Scouts raise money

THE First Liskeard Scout Group are holding a coffee morning at Kilmar House, Higher Lux Street, Liskeard on Friday, November 17, from 10 until 11.30 to raise money for Children in Need and Tommy Gundry, one of the cubs in the group.

The idea came about as part of the cub promise is 'to help other people'.