A THEATRE company in Winsford who sadly hung up their tights at the beginning of the pandemic will be returning to the stage by popular demand in February.  

The URC Over Players, who until 2020 put on a show every February, will be back with their new Peter Pan pantomime Hook, with all proceeds going to St Luke’s Hospice.

The 25-strong cast will be hamming it up and making fools of themselves for the entertainment of Winsford’s public as amateur actors aged from 13 to 70 take to the stage in this quirky retelling of J. M. Barrie’s classic tale.

Dastardly Captain Hook and his villainous sidekick Smee will be outraging and delighting audiences in equal measure, while children and parents can let themselves go cheering on Peter, Wendy, Tinkerbell, and the lost boy as they try their best to thwart their evil plans.   

Former company treasurer, Rob Bebbington, said: “We haven’t had one for about three years because of the pandemic, and everyone is dying to get back on stage. This is about the 28th or 29th one we’ve done.

“We did one every February until 2020, originally for the Cubs and Scouts, but now it’s for anyone else in Winsford who wants to come along.

“We do it to entertain ourselves as much as anything, and we like giving whatever money we make to charity.

“This year we’ve chosen St Luke’s, but whoever we chose, they’ll always be Winsford based.

The first performance is on Wednesday, February 1, at 7.30pm, at the United Reformed Church Hall on Swanlow Lane, Over.

There will be further performances on Thursday 2, Friday 3 and Saturday 4.  

Rob added: “It’s written by Lynn Hughes, who has been with us for about twenty years. She is a true stalwart of the group, as is this year’s director, Jan Bason.”

“It’s a pretty original take on the story, and well worth a watch.

“If you like cheering on the heroes and booing the baddies, make sure you come along. It’s going to be a lot of fun.”

Tickets on Wednesday cost, £6, and Thursday to Saturday £8, concessions £6.

For general enquires email overplayerspanto@gmail.com

For ticket enquires overplayerspantotickets@gmail.com, or call Bill on 07399747250.