Panto company reveals new fundraising show
FLASHBACK PIC: The company hands over the funds raised at the 2019 pantomime. Standing are, from left, Perri-Ann Barley, Julie Russell (York Against Cancer), Nicky Moore (Blue Light Theatre Company), Edward Hinde (MNDA York group) and Devon Wells; crouching, from left, Glen Gears and Craig Barley, with colleagues Leigh Saddington and Robyn Blanks on the ambulance doors.
A band of amateur panto players is back in the swing of rehearsals for a charity fundraiser that has raised thousands down the years.
The Blue Light Theatre Company, which includes members of the Yorkshire Ambulance Service, is hard at work on its 2020 production, ‘Oh! What a Circus,’ to be staged at Acomb Working Men’s Club in January.
And the cast is hoping that the panto will outstrip even the record-breaking £3,000 that was raised for two good causes with the 2019 show, ‘Wonderland’.
The company is once again raising money for York Against Cancer and the Motor Neurone Disease Association (York).
“Rehearsals are going very well,” said Mark Friend, publicity officer for the Blue Light Theatre Company. “The whole of the show has now been set and we just need to slot in some of the dance routines.”
The panto tells the story of two rival circuses, one good, one evil, and their efforts to attract a new star act. Familiar characters taking part include Pinocchio, Rapunzel and Red Riding Hood and as usual the show’s been written by Perri-Ann Barley, with additional material from Steven Clark.
Mark said there would be a sneak preview of the panto at Acomb’s Christmas lights switch-on on the Minster FM stage on November 23 (times to be confirmed).
The cast will also perform songs from the show alongside carols at Tesco, Clifton Moor, from 11am-12noon on December 1 and 7-8pm on December 5.
Support for the panto has come from McColls, Gale Lane, Acomb; Tesco, Clifton Moor and Waitrose, Foss Islands, who have made the panto one of the store’s Community Matters beneficiaries during November.
Raffle prizes include a family ticket to the Jorvik Viking Centre, a family day pass to the Yorkshire Air Museum, a Black Sheep brewery tour and a family pass and guide book to York Minster.
Pick-and-mix sweet sales raised £300-plus at last year’s panto and the company is looking for donations of sweets and raffle prizes for 2020. Email Mark at markbluelighttheatrecompany@yahoo.com if you can help.
Tickets for ‘Oh! What a Circus’ cost £10 (adults), £8 (concessions) and £5 (children). To buy them contact the Box Office on 07933 329654 or visit www.bluelight-theatre.co.uk.
The show will be performed at Acomb WMC on Friday January 24 at 7.30pm, Saturday 25 (matinee from 1pm); and Wednesday January 29-Friday January 31 at 7.3pm nightly.