A theatre company prepping for its first pantomime since relocating to Havering has thanked the community for making its members feel “very welcome”.
Dragon Theatre Company, which was founded in 1976 when a group decided to put a pantomime on in Chadwell Heath, moved to Havering from Gants Hill in late 2021 after having to leave their old home.
Previously based at St George's Church, Jenny Rees, who writes much of the company’s pantomimes, claimed they had to move because they could no longer use the church’s hall.
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She said this meant the company had nowhere to rehearse or put on a performance.
They looked for a new space and were able to move into Havering Road Methodist Church in Rise Park, meaning the company once again had a location where they could perform.
However, Jenny added a lack of storage space remains an issue.
“They [Havering Road Methodist Church] don’t have any facilities for storage, so we have still got a lot of our equipment at St George’s hall,” she said.
The company’s first pantomime since the move, with previous efforts thwarted by Covid, is to be performed next week, on January 26, 27 and 28, at the church.
Jenny, who wrote the pantomime, said the company decided upon Cinderella because “we thought a traditional pantomime might be a good introduction".
Since moving into the new space, Jenny said she and the company have been accepted wholeheartedly into the local community.
“The church and its members have made us very welcome,” she said. “The Havering Arts Council has been so good too.
“We have been made to feel very welcome in Havering.”
With the matinee for Cinderella already sold out, Jenny said she is hopeful they can build up enough support to write and perform more shows at their new home.
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In particular, she said she is keen to revive the schedule of four productions per year the company used to put on, including a musical in the summer.
“We are hoping that the local community will support us and join us as members.”
To buy a ticket to Cinderella, visit Dragon Theatre Company’s website here: http://www.dragontheatrecompany.com/next_production.htm
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