The cast and crew of a local panto are celebrating the success of their first post-covid show.

The Preston Pantomime Group is delighted that its five-show run of Jack & The Beanstalk at the Preston Village Hall was so well received - raising hundreds of pounds for charity.

The production, which was performed in February, was written by Lee Redwood, and tells the story of Jack, who climbs the beanstalk into Cloudland to rescue Princess Jill and his beloved cow Daisy and save the village from the Evil Giant Blunderbore and his henchman Fleshcreep.

The group has been performing pantomimes in Weymouth for more than 40 years and uses its productions to raise money and awareness for a range of local causes.

A spokesman from the Pantomime group says: “The rehearsals and show week are so much fun, but it makes it so much more worthwhile knowing we are also raising hundreds of pounds for local charities close to our heart. They all do such amazing work in the communities across Dorset, and we see it as our chance to give a little back and do what we can.

"All cast and crew feel very grateful for being part of the 'Panto Family'. We pick each other up when we are down, and are there for each other’s ups; with the odd bit of bickering of course. But we always come together for a fantastic show”.

This year more than £900 was raised through its annual raffle, with all proceeds going to its three chosen charities - Weymouth FoodBank, Cycling without Age Weymouth and Friends of Dorset Careleavers.

The group also organised collection buckets with proceeds going towards the Syria and Turkey earthquake appeal. All three charities were invited to meet with the cast and crew to receive their donation.

Dorset Echo:

The group would like to credit Tim Moss as 'the genius' behind this year’s production. Mr Moss joined the group in 1982 and both of his sons and his granddaughters have taken to the panto stage.

The current cast and crew will return to Preston Village Hall in September to start rehearsing for next year’s show.

The group is on the lookout for a new cast and crew to host another great show next year and will be holding an open evening to invite newcomers, aged 18 and up, into their 'Panto Family' at Preston Village Hall on, June 21, 2023, at 7.30pm.

Send them a message on Facebook, Instagram, or e-mail prestonpanto@hotmail.co.uk to let them know you are coming.