Wirral Players preparing to celebrate 60 years of panto with January production of Aladdin

Dec 1 2010 by Lorna Hughes, Birkenhead News

Founder member Lilian Shaw wrote and produced the annual shows until handing over to Cathy Marland in 1980.

Now vice-president, the 91-year-old has never missed a show.

Michael, whose two daughters have also been involved with the Players over the years, said: “It’s quite a big company, there are probably about 70 people involved, both on stage and backstage.

“The majority of them are either long-term members or they’ve gone away and come back again, which is rather nice.

“I’ve been a member since 1977, when I started in the chorus and this will be my 31st show.”

Excitement is building as members count down to the special anniversary.

Michael said: “We join up with the chorus this week and then we have four weeks of rehearsals as a company.

“Once we join up you know you’re counting down to the opening night and everyone’s enjoying it.”

Performances of Aladdin at at 7.30pm, with a matinee on January 8 at 2.30pm. Tickets are £7 for the evening shows and £5 for the matinee.

Call the ticket secretary on 678 7019.

l Our photo shows the cast of a panto fromo 1961 – do you have any memories of the Wirral Players over the years? We’ll feature as many as we can in our Memories column. E-mail lorna.hughes@liverpool.com or write to Wirral News, PO Box 48, Old Hall Street, Liverpool L69 3EB.