MORE THAN 700 children across the Royal County have enjoyed a pantomime this Christmas thanks to Berkshire Freemasons. Oh yes they have.
The annual Panto Project, which has run for 18 years, aims to share the joy of the festive plays with children who have additional needs or face financial challenges.
Funded principally by Freemasons from across Berkshire the scheme is supported with a contribution from the Louis Baylis Trust.
This year, more than 360 children attended a performance of Aladdin in Windsor’s Theatre Royal. The show stars, among others, Basil Brush, Anita Harris, Patti Boulaye, and Paul Zenon.
These children were accompanied by siblings, parents, teachers or carers, as well as senior members of the Berkshire Freemasons leadership team, as well as volunteers and their families.
Santa was on hand to assist in giving out ice creams during the interval, funded by Beechdean.
To reach out to more children, who are not able to cope with a trip outside of familiar surroundings, or are restricted by accessibility issues, the very next day, a touring pantomime company performed at Addington School in Woodley.
More than 200 pupils, students, teachers and carers, were entertained by an adapted version of Snow White.
Although not in a theatre, it was still a festive show complete with singing, dancing and booing, hissing and putting their thumbs down to the Wicked Queen whenever she made an appearance.
In addition, the Freemasons Panto Project has contributed £1,500 to the Corn Exchange, Newbury’s Pay it Forward appeal, which aims to raise funds to provide an opportunity for those most in need in their community to enjoy a live pantomime performance at some time during the panto season.
For more information about Berkshire Freemasonry, log on to: https://berkspgl.org.uk
