Our Story: Over 60 Years of Wayfarers
It all started in 1962 with a small church hall, a few sketches and an idea. More than 60 years later, The Wayfarers are still bringing people together and entertaining audiences in Taunton. Here’s how it all began…
1962 — Where It All Began
Gordon MacDonald, “Mac”, was asked to present some evening entertainment for St Johns Church in their small hall. To make to different he wrote some quickie sketches invited two or three soloists and added some dancers. He called this group of friends, The Wayfarers because this is what they were, talented people from a mixture of local companies. This format was again requested for the following year this time for two nights
1964 Seeing the potential saw Mac form a full committee and expand the company of Wayfarers to tread the boards at the old much larger St. Andrews Hall and Stage. He wrote two longer comedy sketches, Poor Nellie and Foolish Questions, some more quickies and the company embarked on Variety Shows with specialist novelty production numbers all created and produced by Mac. This first three night show was called, A song A Dance and A Smile. It was a success. (Lots of excerpts were performed in the provinces for local charities to members credit)
1965 Mac and his hard working committee presented another Song, Dance and Smile, then with audiences growing in
1966 Thats your Lot hit town
1967 Autumn Capers
1968 The Wayfarers presented a four night show called Christmas Crackers the second half of which Mac wrote as a potted-panto spoof. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs which brought in lots of Pantomime Characters. It was our first taste of Pantoland, and didnt it do well. That was it.
1969 — Panto Fever Strikes!
Saw the Wayfarers Committee make the big decision to tackle full length traditional Pantomime with all its complexities.
Our ever increasing and supportive audiences were treated at the old St Andrew’s Church Hall in Rowbarton to the well-known Pantomime Dick Whittington. It was a great success and we were proud to record that we made a handsome profit of 1 shilling and six pence exactly!! It was at this time that the Wayfarers decided that part of any profit made from future shows would go to local causes, (a tradition we still carry on today, with all raffle proceeds being donated to our chosen Charity each year).
So Panto fever struck and Mac over the years created and wrote 10 full length Pantomimes using any excuse for spectacle and panto magic. He directed all the first 17 pantomime productions. We even have our own Good Night song, written for us by Mac, a well known trade mark to our regular supporters.
1978 — A New Home at The Brewhouse
The Wayfarers made the move to the newly built Brewhouse Theatre and Arts Centre, where we staged the ever-popular Cinderella and here we have remained, spending year after year performing the Pantomimes that you all love and enjoy.
2007 — The Next Generation
Taunton Wayfarers’ Youth Group (TWYGs) was founded to give young people aged 8 to 16 the chance to get involved in theatre. See our TWYGs page on what happens there and how to get involved.
The Wayfarers Today
More than 60 years on, the magic is still going strong. Our shows have grown from sketches in a small church hall to full-scale pantomimes packed with music, comedy and spectacle. Our special-effect UV scenes have become a particular Wayfarers tradition, alongside the magic, pyrotechnics and effects that have delighted audiences over the years. Technology has moved on too, with digital animations now filling the stage — but the flashes, bangs and smoke still very much play their part!
Looking back over our history, The Wayfarers owe an enormous amount to Gordon “Mac” MacDonald, whose vision and dedication — together with that of many others — laid the foundations for the society we know today. More than 60 years later, that spirit lives on through our dedicated committee, production teams, performers, backstage crews and generations of members, old and new. Together, they continue to bring the magic of pantomime to audiences young and old. Thank you for supporting The Wayfarers throughout the years — we hope to see you again very soon!
Oh Yes We Do!!
🎭Take a trip down memory lane and explore some of our previous productions.