Rev up your ideas for the pantomime! Mango’s better than Aladdin’s lamp

Alex fumed: “Adam! Why on earth did you agree to stage a pantomime on top of everything else?

“I hardly ever see you as it is! Now, we’ll have every pushy stage parent in Hackney trying to get their little darling a speaking part and every unemployed actor in London will be turning up for auditions to keep their hand in, telling you how you don’t direct them well.”

Adam sighed: “The church needs the funds for our outreach programme with the homeless. St Saviour’s in the Marshes is barely able to feed and house them this Christmas, and what happens to them after the New Year?”

Alex sat down, defeated: “Oh make me look like a heartless witch, why don’t you? This is so unfair! I just want to spend some time at Christmas with my husband.”

Adam smiled: “You will! I was hoping you’d help me with the costumes.”

Alex rolled her eyes: “Have you thought about the legal implications?”

Adam nodded: “Yes, we have, Mrs Solicitor. We’ve been working with consultants at Penarth Management to discuss health and safety and our role as the organisation behind the event.

“As this is expected to attract several hundred people, we’re staging it at the Marshes Theatre to ensure we comply with public safety rules and even the new rules in place for Martyn’s Law.”

Alex said: “It will be implemented soon, so that’s good. Event organisers and theatres have new legal duties to help protect the public from terrorist attacks. So do places of worship, by the way.”

Adam smiled: “Oh how I wish my Sunday sermons would attract the crowd numbers that Martyn’s Law kicks in at. Our events may well do so, though, especially in London. Places of worship are not exempt but are treated as standard tier, aren’t they?”

Alex nodded: “Glad to see you’ve been reading up on it. Have you also heard about Mango?”

Adam smiled: “My least favourite fruit, as you know. I much prefer pineapple.”

Alex sighed: “The online compliance software. It keeps your documents and training records online in the cloud so you can get them anywhere there’s an internet connection.”

Adam asked dryly: “Even at home?”

Alex sighed: “Yes, of course. I really didn’t think that one through, did I? Which pantomime have you chosen?”

Adam replied: “Aladdin. Nigel is playing Widow Twanky.”

Alex smiled: “He’s behind you! And in our house!”

Adam smiled back: “Oh no he’s not…”

Nigel replied: “Oh yes he is vicar! Here are the latest parish council minutes.”

Adam smiled: “Marvellous!”

• Find out how Mango’s online compliance software could help your events or your place of worship. Book a free demonstration which will be delivered via Zoom. We can help you with a Martyn’s Law assessment, too. Call Penarth Management on 029 2070 3328 or email info@penarth.co.uk

• Need information on Martyn’s Law? Take a look at the programme of free seminars from our sister company The Protect Alliance: Events | The Protect Alliance (UK)