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Friends, Romans, Countrymen, Ringwood Musical & Dramatic Society, Greyfriars Community Centre, Ringwood.

LEND me your ears. I come not to bury RMDS, but to praise them, as William Shakespeare might have said if he’d been around today.

And how could I not praise such an innovative evening as this annual 3-in-1 entertainment with its gorgeous interval nibbles? And yes, those blue cheese rolls are still to die for.

There was certainly fun on the menu, and the current raft of new, young members combined with more established talent guaranteed an evening of high energy and enthusiasm in which everyone gave 150%.

Whilst each section followed a similar pattern in terms of song and dance, each had its own distinct personality. Friends took the form of a radio murder mystery sponsored by Squeaky Clean Soap – cue for free samples, so thanks folks - and Romans, with its superb set, focused on the romance of the Latin race from the Centurions to today’s pavement cafes. And Countrymen was a brilliant, often hilarious, peek at a Country Fair complete with tea tent, maypole, bicycle rides, horse racing and, of course, Morris Men.  
I shouldn’t have favourites, should I? Yet every time I close my eyes I can still see those men dancing round with bells on their trousers . . .

Linda Kirkman

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