More than 100 Thanet school pupils will be able to see The Wizard of Oz Christmas panto at the Theatre Royal thanks to grants by KCC Thanet councillors Barry Lewis and Lesley Game and a subsidy by Your Leisure Kent Ltd.
The 135 children from St Anthony’s school Margate and Cliftonville primary would have missed this year’s show due to shrinking school budgets. Thanks to the generous gift they will now be seeing it in the last days of the school term.
Abi Cranson, assistant head teacher at St Anthony’s, said: “With ever-decreasing budgets, we simply wouldn’t be going if it wasn’t for this generous grant. The children will love the panto and it will certainly get them into the Christmas spirit.”
Julie Mayhew, of Cliftonville primary, added: “It’s such a fantastic opportunity for our children and we are really grateful to Lesley and Pam. We have chosen to use it as a reward for excellent progress in maths this term so eight children from each Key Stage 2 year group will be attending.”
Pam Hardiman, the theatre’s programme manager, said “This year’s panto is our biggest and best – and fastest selling – ever! We’re delighted to be working again with the Wicked Productions team, who have pulled out all the stops to bring another top quality traditional pantomime to our beautiful theatre.
“The performers are all stars, of course, but I’d like give credit to all the backstage heroes and front of house volunteers who have worked tirelessly throughout the Christmas season. To bring children to see the show, who wouldn’t otherwise have managed it, is the cherry on the cake for us all.”
Tickets can be booked online or by calling the Box Office on 01843 292795.