Panto ticket giveaway for disadvanted city children

It was three years ago that the festive theatre company decided to give free tickets to charity organisations working with children and young people. Since then a range of groups have benefitted from the society’s Christmas gift.

This year’s show, the classic panto-favourite Cinderella, runs at the Montgomery Theatre in Surrey Street from January 13 to 21, with a cast headed by the company’s famous Dame, Nick Challenger - who is also the production’s writer and director.

And more than 400 tickets are being given away to children who might never otherwise have the chance to enjoy the magic of live theatre. Once again the society will continue to welcome foster families from both Rotherham and Sheffield - recipients since the start of the scheme.

Also invited are South Yorkshire families who have been supported by the Leeds Children’s Heart Surgery Fund and users from Sheffield RSB.

Society spokesperson Rachel Habergham said: “Children are at the very heart of the panto season and that’s why we decided from the start to work closely with Sheffield’s fostering services, originally providing more than 100 tickets for families.

“What was really important to us was that we wanted to encourage a whole family experience so if someone with one foster child has a family of six, we welcomed the whole family.

“This has become a magical night, often the noisiest crowd and we wouldn’t have it any other way! We will be donating in excess of 400 tickets to ensure families can have some time together and laugh out loud this Christmas.”