Buttons and Cinderella from the forthcoming CHYPS panto in Wilmslow
The leading lights of an award-winning Cheshire theatre company have announced the details of their latest production.
Cheshire Youth Pantomime Society (CHYPS) is a youth charity based in Wilmslow that puts on a spectacular pantomime in the first week of January each year.
The company will be opening the new year with their show, Cinderella, at Wilmslow Leisure Centre’s Evans Theatre.
Six performances are scheduled from Thursday 2nd January to Sunday 5th January.
Theatre bosses are promising a hilarious show, packed with current and classic songs, performed by a brilliant group of 11-to-18-year-old actors, singers and dancers along with a live band and remarkable staging.
The cast of Robin Hood, on stage at The Evans Theatre
CHYPS received six awards at the Greater Manchester Drama Federation Pantomime Awards for their last show, Robin Hood – including best pantomime, best director, best choreography and best set design.
Rich Nicholson, who leads the technical team, said: “I don’t usually get to go on stage, so it was a huge honour to go up and receive the award for best set design for Robin Hood.
“It made all the hard work by the whole team worthwhile. I have something even more spectacular and rather different planned for Cinderella, but obviously I can’t tell you any more about it – I am sworn to secrecy.”
CHYPS pantomimes take place in the first week of January each year
Sally Hunt is the director of Cinderella, and has been directing CHYPS since she formed the group in 2007.
“CHYPS provide fantastic opportunities for talented teenagers to appear in a huge, high budget production that is seen by over 2000 people,” she said.
“I am hugely proud that Robin Hood virtually swept the board in this year’s GMDF Pantomime Awards.
“For many of the cast CHYPS is the beginning of a life-long love of performing, and many go on to pursue careers in musical theatre.
She added: “Supporting the amazing young talent we have in the area is hugely rewarding for me.
“I hope everyone will come and see what is, after all, the most-loved pantomime story of all time.”
