Pantomime cancelled? Oh no it isn't!

In rehearsal: Members of the middle chorus in this year's panto get in some practice ahead of the big opening show last night.

There were fears that a traditional Castleton school pantomime might be cancelled this year because of building work but it was alright on the night after organisers upped sticks to Middleton.

Building work at the infants' part of St Gabriel's forced the school's annual panto to go on the move. The school hall in Castleton has hosted the show for the last 32 years and organisers were keen not to disappoint the children who look forward to being in the panto each year.

This year's show will take place at Cardinal Langley RC High School in Middleton and the Friends of St Gabriel's have risen to the challenge, helping to move all of the scenery and costumes that are needed for the panto.

Billy Sheerin, director of the pantomime said: “It’s important that continuity continues regarding the Traditional school pantomime. It would have been an easy option to cancel this year’s show but lots of our helpers and parents felt this would have been wrong.

“The staff at Cardinal Langley School have been very helpful in offering the school stage and its facilities and they are very supportive of this venture. It is a gamble moving out of the village but we sincerely hope our show will appeal to people in Middleton.

"Snow white and her seven Dwarfs promise you a fun packed family show and they are all looking forward to seeing you!"

The show opened last night (Wednesday 18 February) and runs on each night at 7.15pm until Saturday (21 February), with a matinee performance on Saturday at 2.15pm.