A POPULAR panto which once starred Gary Barlow could raise the curtains for the final time if funding isn’t forthcoming.
For more than 30 years Frodsham Panto group has entertained hundreds of families with their magical Christmas productions of Aladdin, Cinderella and Peter Pan.
With their bank balance slowly diminishing the popular club is being forced to cut back on costumes, sets and props.
The amateur dramatic society is so desperate to keep entertaining families in Frodsham that it is holding a spring performance to raise cash to keep the club afloat.
Jay Timms, who will be directing the Robinson Crusoe panto in December, said: “We haven't got that much money left in the bank. We have had to look at cutting the costs of our costumes already.
“We always put on the annual panto in Frodsham but recently it has fallen on hard times. We are having to look at putting on some events during the year. This is the first time we have ever done that.
“We have a great band of dedicated followers who always turn up to our performances.
“In the past people have come along and brought their children, but now many people go to the Empire for their pantos, with that you are talking about a completely different thing. We cannot do things on that sort of scale.”
The cabaret evening is at 7.30pm tomorrow at Frodsham Community Centre.
The performance 1 Nite Only will see local artists, actors, comedians and musicians perform while audience members enjoy a special version of Play Your Cards Right, raffles and refreshments.
Jay said: “It is going to be a fantastic night, if it goes well we will definitely do more.
“Any money we raise would be a bonus, but if we could make £1,000 that would be superb, but the money goes so quickly and we need to pay for lighting, sets, and costumes.
“We don’t want to find in three to four years time that we are not able to put on the panto, simply because we have no money. ”
Tickets cost £7 per person and all money raised will go toward this years’ panto.
For tickets call Jay Timms on 01928 820023.
