Members of Prestbury Youth Pantomime Association are currently undergoing final rehearsals for Dick Whittington, which they will perform at MADS Little Theatre early in the new year.
Dick Whittington will be their 31st consecutive pantomime and is being produced by a committee of about 20 adult volunteers. The cast consists of 11 to 18 year olds who take part as dancers, chorus and principal performers. The show costs over £10,000 to put on, which is raised through fundraising events, donations, ticket sales and from village and local businesses who advertise in the programme.
Andy Jones, Chairman of Prestbury Youth Pantomime Association, said "The cast rehearsals have progressed well and we are now preparing the young people to work with lights, sound, music, costume, props and makeup in MADS theatre for the final few rehearsals over Christmas and New Year.
"Each year we try to choose a panto we haven't performed for some years and also try to alternate between the Eastern and European traditional stories. We are delighted that Alex Howarth will be Artistic Director/Choregrapher following her successful choreography for us over the last three years.
"Some forty youngsters take part in the pantomime and have a great social experience as well as producing a quality show which extends their performing arts talents. All participating youngsters join the Pantomime Association and parents lend a hand in various areas so that the hard working pantomime committee have enough support to make the production happen.
"It will be a great, very funny, family show and we urge everyone to buy tickets as soon as possible."
The first Prestbury Pantomime was 'Cinderella' in 1980 and was produced by local Youth Leader, Gerry Porter who is still a member of the committee. The show was performed in the local village school, Dale Brow, now the village hall, and it was so successful that they had to move to larger premises in Mottram-St-Andrew's village hall for the next 6 productions. In 1987 it moved to its present home, the MADS Little Theatre in Lord Street, Macclesfield which seats 190 people.
Dick Whittington will run from Wednesday 5th January to Saturday 9th January and tickets can be purchased from Prestbury Travel priced from £7.00 to £9.00.
Photo's are from last years performance of Snow White and the Seven Wood Dwellers.
