The Andrews Panto & Plays Society

Reporter Jonathan White

The Andrews Panto & Plays Society (TAPPS) performed the musical pantomime ‘Alice in Wonderland’ at St Andrew's Church Hall, Bedford Street, Crewe in mid-January this year.

‘Alice in Wonderland’ featured a mixture of song, dance, silliness, and audience participation.

There were also refreshments, a raffle and a lucky programme number draw during the interval. The lucky programme number winner at each performance received a star prize donated by Tesco Extra (Vernon Way, Crewe), Mrs Darlington (Lancaster Fields, Crewe), and Mornflake (Gresty Road, Crewe).

TAPPS received a good luck message from Bobby Ball, who recently performed in panto at the Crewe Lyceum. The message read: ‘Hi everyone, Sorry I can’t be with you this panto season because I am really very busy with my own this year and other things after, but I wish you every success and hope in fact I know it will be a huge success. Once again have a good one. God bless everyone. Bobby Ball’

‘Alice in Wonderland’ played to 300 people over four performances.

Money from this year’s 2020 pantomime will go to St Andrew's Church and charities, plus a small amount will be held in reserve for future TAPPS productions. TAPPS have given away over £6,000 in the years since its formation.

TAPPS Panto Director Fred Allman said: “This has been a great production and I am very proud of all those who have been involved.  It was especially good to have new young faces in our company this year. Our pantos seem to get better with each year and feedback from audiences has been very positive.  We actually had a standing ovation from our Saturday night audience and more people have asked about joining us as a result of watching the show.”

TAPPS was formed in November 2014 to stage a panto for the local community in the St Andrews Church area. Since then the society has grown and includes many people from the local community and further afield, working together with church members. Since the formation the society has staged six pantos, five variety shows and hosted several play reading evenings. Some members have been involved in dramatic presentations in St Andrews Church. The society enjoys a social life with theatre trips, country walks and other events throughout the year. TAPPS is non-profit making so any money goes to charities and the church.

For further information relating to TAPPS please phone Fred on 07949524798.