Grenoside Pantomime Celebrates its 50th Year!
Grenoside Pantomime is celebrating a special year as they perform their 50th pantomime and it's for this reason that they wanted to do something new and have chosen “The Little Mermaid”, a popular story which they have never done before.
The village group, based in Grenoside Community Centre, Main street, Sheffield, is very lucky to have a number of talented people within their cast and crew, including this year’s producers Josh Milner and Tracey Blackburn, plus the writing skills of Steve Eddison, who has written this version of The Little Mermaid based on the fairy tale originally written by Danish author Hans Christian Andersen. Originally published in 1837 as part of a collection of fairy tales for children, the story follows the journey of a young mermaid princess who is willing to give up her life in the sea as a mermaid, for the love of a human prince. This version is true to the original story with the addition of some traditional pantomime fun.
The group put on it’s first panto back in 1976 and have put on a pantomime every year since, with the exception of 2021 due to Covid.
Formed by Margaret Twelves and her brother Barry, at first the casting was via word of mouth, as Margaret asked her friends and neighbours if they thought a local panto was a good idea. She also asked at the local primary school if any children would like to be involved and got an amazing response. Looking at the programme and the photos from that first production, over 70 people got involved and by 1980 the cast and crew numbered over 100. One young girl who joined as a dancer was Sally Fletcher, who went on to appear in the first eight shows. She then took a break but returned to the stage in 1990 and then also stepped up as children’s choreographer up to 2011 when she took another break of five years. Returning again to join the chorus and choreographing the adult dances before taking another short one year break. There’s no keeping her away though as she’s back in the chorus again this year in what will be her 38th panto. Well done Sally!
This year they have paid tribute to two other long serving former members of the cast by inviting them to be involved in this years panto in small cameo roles. Watch out for their surprise appearances!
The whole team at Grenoside Panto are very grateful to all the cast and crew for all the hard work which goes into shows and particularly, to their audience for supporting them. All the money we raised goes directly to the costs of keeping Grenoside Community Centre going.
The curtain goes up for The Little Mermaid on Friday 30th January with a total of 8 performances. To book your tickets ring 07754-500874 (between 10am and 7pm only, please) or email [email protected]