A generous donation of £5,000 from the St Giles with St Mary’s Pantomime Theatre Society will help boost church ministry in Pontefract, says the group’s new president Fr Ian Bullock.
The story begins when St Giles’ Players was formed in 1949 by the then vicar of St. Giles Church, the Revd Jack Peel.
After years of success, it merged with a group from St Mary’s and has gone from strength to strength, bringing live theatre to Pontefract and the surrounding district by way of the annual pantomime and occasional summer productions.
Work on the main production begins in earnest in September each year and rehearsals commence with a specially written Panto Prayer.
“The Society’s Constitution states that “The Vicar of St Giles’ Church shall be the standing President of the Society and we are delighted to have Father Ian joining us in the role,” said a spokesperson.
“Despite our best efforts he hasn’t yet agreed to appear on stage, but we will keep trying!
“The Society was also delighted to give a financial donation to St Giles and St Mary’s churches this year and is now busy rehearsing for its next pantomime ‘Hansel and Gretel’ to be performed 12 - 18 January 2025 at Pontefract Town Hall."
Pictured posing with an appropriately-dressed cast member at Pontefract’s Liquorice Festival, Fr Ian commented: “From my point of view, as I’ve always had a love of all things theatre, I am delighted to take up this role and I am looking forward (yes I am!) to working closely with them over the coming years.
“St Giles and St Mary’s are immensely thankful for their recent donation of £5,000 towards the ongoing work and ministry of the church.”
To find out more about the pantomime, please click here.