Kath McDonough, receptionist with McLachlan Opticians
The ‘focus’ of a community panto has shifted to the High Street with a local optician shop throwing its weight behind the ‘spectacle.’
Tickets for panto Snow White and the Grease Monkeys are now on sale in McLachlan Opticians on Forres High Street.
The outlet has supported village events before and Kath McDonough, receptionist with the firm said they were pleased to help out again.
She said: “This pantomime sounds like a lot of fun. We have sold tickets for various community events before and are more than happy to do so again.”
The pantomime which is described as a classic fairy-tale mixed with elements of the musical Grease is being held to raise funds to revamp Dyke Church Hall.
Refurbishment
The hall refurbishment will form Phase 2 of the Dyke Access Project which aims to make the church and its hall welcoming, with user friendly access and improved modern facilities.
Church elder Alison Rodgers who is helping to co-ordinate the team working on the panto and is on the committee for the Access Project said she was delighted McLachlan Opticians was supporting the event.
“Having a presence in the town c
entre has made a huge different to previous events that we have put on in Dyke, so having this support really does make a difference. Last time we staged something this big, we actually ended up having to put on an extra show and if that happens again, it would be fantastic. We always get phenomenal support from the opticians and other businesses on the High Street who will often display posters and flyers for us as well.”
She added: “The support we are receiving from different elements of the Dyke community and beyond has been wonderful. The rehearsals are now well underway, and the scenery team have started to create the back drops and props. We are missing a few items such as fabrics and other bits and bobs, but again every time we reach out to the community, we get a very positive response.”
Fundraising
The total cost of the Dyke Access Project is estimated at around £160,000.
Phase 1 of the project which involved creating a new path, suitable for wheelchairs from Dyke & District Hall car park to the church was completed last November.
Phase 2 will see the installation of new toilets including disabled facilities, expanding the hall, improving kitchen facilities and removing asbestos.
Snow White and the Grease Monkeys will be staged in Dyke & District Hall on March 24th at 7pm.
All tickets include refreshments during the interval are priced at: Adults £8, Children £4, Group Ticket (2 adults 2 children) £22.00.
Tickets can be bought from McLachlan Opticians on Forres High Street or reserved by calling Claire Doughty on 01309 641354 or 07846145050 or email her at claire@chitchat.scot.
