A COMMUNITY theatre's Christmas panto has gone down a treat.
Buckley Theatre Club's Dick Whittington production at the Hawkesbury Little Theatre is into its second and final week, and people are encouraged to snap up the last few remaining tickets.
Theatre club and cast member, Cathy Mayers-Jones, said: "The shows have been amazing - we are definitely back with a bang.
"It's been an up-hill struggle with the planning issues but the support locally has been fantastic."
The theatre is sadly under the threat of closure if it cannot get planning permission for a renewal on the portable building it uses as changing room facilities.
Flintshire Council has deferred on making a decision on the application until after a site visit by planning committee members has taken place.
It came after planning officers recommended it for refusal over concerns it is “harmful to the character and appearance of the site". They also raised concerns over the impact of the "eyesore" building on the people now living in Hawkesbury Hall, a listed building. The Hall was restored from dereliction a decade ago - long after Hawkesbury Little Theatre had been utilising the portable building.
Nevertheless, the cast of Dick Whittington have put these concerns to one side as they put on a hit show.
One person took to Facebook to give the performance a glowing review.
"It was brilliant," they said.
"Every single member of the cast was thoroughly committed and put on a fantastic show.
"The dame was hilarious, the songs were great with cracking dances and the dance groups were amazing too. Both the older and younger dance groups were very professional and performed impressive dances on a smaller stage."
They added: "There was plenty of crowd interactions, a luminous puppet show and a surprise guest at the end.
"I was there with my four-year-old niece and family and we all loved it. There were many genuine belly laughs all the way through at hilarious moments intended and unintended."
Another person added: "Have never laughed so much for a long time. Thank you Hawkesbury Little Theatre for a brilliant evening. Full of surprises and a lovely touch at the end of the show."
People can buy tickets for the remaining shows (which run until December 4) at The Rise community centre and cafe on Nant Mawr Road in Buckley.
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