The 2012 production of "Robin Hood" will be the Company's 47th. Originally, productions were staged in the Carshalton Public Hall (which is now the Charles Cryer Studio Theatre), which was transformed to create a truly theatrical atmosphere.
The show grew rapidly - and by popular demand - from five performances at the start to the seventeen consecutive performances, which are now presented at the Secombe Theatre in Sutton. This is believed to be one of the longest runs, without a break, for an amateur company in this part of the country and calls for considerable effort on their part. As a result the Pantomimes have established a regular place, despite strong and growing competition, in the local social calendar.
The Company, originally formed by Sutton Arts Council as a community project, eventually became known as the Carshalton Pantomime Company. Although it has changed over the years it is still an entity that involves itself with the community and attempts to help those that are interested in the stage but have not, or cannot, had the opportunity to do anything about their aspirations. With help from many sources it has established its present strength. The whole organisation is entirely unpaid and a few theatrical professionals help voluntarily with the productions.
All proceeds are donated to charity. As well as continuing to support the Friends of Queen Mary’s Hospital for Children and the Diamond Centre for Disabled Riders with our regular donations, we have, for the last three years, been particularly pleased to be able to support the Children's and Teenage Cancer Centre at the Royal Marsden Hospital.
Many prominent local actors and actresses have played in the shows and the Company is proud that a number have "moved on" to success in the professional theatre.
We view as one of our prime objectives the encouragement of people of all ages (generally over 16) to participate in live theatre. This is either for those that have an interest in (but have never had or taken the opportunity before) to take part in a large live production (either performing or behind the scenes) or those that have, until now, not even thought about it.
The Company makes a point of producing traditional Pantomime, with large casts, lavish costumes and scenery with modern technical effects.
The Company's wardrobe now comprises many thousands of costumes and properties. Throughout the year, many items are hired by other societies, professional companies, schools and the general public. The Society's wardrobe is now well established in the grounds of Sutton Hospital. The costume and props hire department is manned by volunteers and is open every Tuesday and Friday morning.
We also provide items of scenery and technical equipment for many other theatrical productions.
A hard core of around thirty people work throughout the whole year, devising, writing story lines and music, designing and making costumes and scenery and, for months, rehearsing.