MORE than 480 people turned up to see a people-powered panto.

Act Up! All Stars, alongside a committee of volunteers, colleges and businesses, hosted the first ever Wyke Community Pantomime.

The drama group performed Dick Whittington.

Free tickets were offered to all children in BD12, as well as families using Wyke foodbank.

In the end, 193 youngsters joined their families and friends to watch three performances at Appleton Academy Theatre

To fund the free tickets, Act Up! All Stars began raising money in September last year.

The aim was to make theatre accessible for everyone and attendance figures exceeded all expectations.

Act Up! was originally set-up in 2012 by professional performing arts teacher and community drama coach, Andrea Quantrill, but was extended to create Act Up! All Stars in order to cast the panto with both child and adult actors working together.

Mrs Quantrill said: "The support we have received from the local community and wider has been overwhelming and without this the project wouldn’t have been the success it has been.

"Local amateur dramatics groups, businesses and colleges have offered their costumes, props, time and assistance to help create a theatre experience that is affordable for all.

"It was lovely to see the community of Wyke believing in this project and offering their time, donations and efforts to make it happen.

"From fundraising, to front of house, projection design to hair styling, the people of Wyke came forward and showed that when people pull together great things can happen.

"It is impossible to thank everyone who helped to bring this project to the stage as it has been such a team effort to pull this together.

"But we achieved our goal, as over 190 children got to see a panto this year - for many of them the first one they’ve ever seen.

"I am thrilled with the audience turn out – the looks on the faces of both young and old when we took to the stage was priceless.

"One child said it was her favourite pantomime ever, which is testament to the energy and commitment our community actors have put into making this an incredible show."

Planning is already underway for next year's performance, which will follow the same ethos of making it free for local children and families using Wyke Foodbank.

Further information on the 2021 Act Up! All Stars panto will be released on the group’s Facebook page in the coming months.

Find out more here: facebook.com/actupdramaclub/

Or email Andrea Quantrill on: actupdramaclub@gmail.com