Cheshire Youth Pantomime Society to put on Cinderella production

The Cheshire Youth Pantomime Society (CHYPS) will be performing its version of Cinderella in early January next year.

With a cast of 11 to 18-year-old actors, singers and dancers, backed by a live band, the production promises a 'hilarious' show packed with current and classic songs.

Six performances are scheduled at the Evans Theatre in Wilmslow Leisure Centre from Thursday, January 2, to Sunday, January 5. 

Sally Hunt, Cinderella's director, has been directing at CHYPS since she formed the group in 2007.

She said: “CHYPS provides fantastic opportunities for talented teenagers to appear in a huge-budget production that is seen by more than 2,000 people.

"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."

Sally Hunt and Rich Nicholson receiving their awards (Image: CHYPS) CHYPS, a youth charity, is at the heart of the town community and is this year sponsored by Wilmslow Town Council, Wilmslow Round Table, Wilmslow's Way Better, Travelbag, and Lloyds Bank.

The group won six awards for its lat show - Robin Hood - including best pantomime, best director, best choreography and best set design,

Rich Nicholson leads the CHYPS technical team and received the award for best set design.

The production of Robin Hood (Image: CHYPS) He 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 say any more about it - I am sworn to secrecy. People will just have to come and see it for themselves!”

Sally added: "I am hugely proud Robin Hood virtually swept the board in this year’s GMDF Pantomime Awards.

(Image: CHYPS) "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.

"We currently have former CHYPS cast studying at a number of prestigious theatre colleges such as Mountview, ArtsEd and the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama in London."

The Cinderella production run includes three matinee shows while children are off school.

Tickets are £18 and are available now at chypspanto.com.