Knock-about fun and frolics are promised at Ulverston Pantomime Society's forthcoming production of The Snow Queen – the first event at Ulverston's Coronation Hall since the much-loved venue came under the management of Westmorland and Furness Council.
The production – the society's 75th since 1948 (one year was lost to Covid in 2021) – runs from 24 to 27 January, with the audience joining the residents of Pickle Town as they embark on a mission to rescue Hanky from the evil Snow Queen.
The fabulous show is stacked with great gags, fabulous dancing, end-to-end physical comedy, three outstanding baddies and various local talent adding colour to the stage at The Coro, as it is known.
Bob Needham, who plays the Dame and is chairman of the society, said: "Times remain challenging, especially financially, but there is no lack of enthusiasm within the society to progress through the next 75 years from the youngest performer of about six years old to the oldest who is over 60 years their senior.
"The society is pleased and proud to return to The Coro with our 75th production of The Snow Queen. As was in 1948, and the first pantomime, we are delighted to still be performing at the beautiful Coro 75 years later. This fabulous theatre is our spiritual home and we all adore looking out from the stage to a theatre full of laughing children and their parents."
Mr Needham added: "The society is a real team-based group from the dedicated front-of-house team through the stage manager and backstage crew, as well as the cast, dancers and show director. Elisabeth Greaves is our musical director and Alex Mattinson is our choreographer and publicity lead. The orchestra are local musicians and hired, but are also very much an integral part of society activity. We have a small leadership team of myself as chairman, Sue Little as treasurer and show director and Nicky Diggle as secretary and child protection officer. We all work closely together and support each other. As chairman my role comprises of being both a support to the others in their roles as well as leading on interfacing with The Coro in terms of the society's needs for the show every year. It is, however, important to underline that we all work together to deliver a successful show and a viable society."
Click here for more information about the pantomime and the Coro.
Westmorland and Furness Council took over management of the much-loved community, arts and cultural venue on 1 January and reaffirmed its commitment to keeping the venue operating and retaining the current temporary pop-up library offer. Opening hours were extended when Westmorland and Furness Council reopened the Coro on 8 January 2024 in line with the library.
The agreement came after the announcement by The Coro’s previous operators, social enterprise Ulverston Community Enterprises (UCE) and its subsidiary Charitable Incorporated Organisation, Ulverston Coronation Hall (UCH), of their intention to pass responsibility for the day-to-day operation of The Coro back over to the council at the end of 2023.