An amateur theatre group is getting ready to stage a panto this December – oh yes they are!
Jazz Hands Theatre Group has been planning The Wizard of Oz since January 2020 and had already started rehearsals when covid hit.
The pandemic put paid to any plans for a live show last year but they’re back rehearsing ready to entertain audiences at Renfrew North Church this December.
The group founder Andrew McVie said they can’t wait to get started doing what they love to do.
“This is the first time the theatre group has done a big major production like this all together,” he said.
“We’ve done small productions in the past but this is a full-length panto which we’re bringing to Renfrew North Church.
“It’s a real community, feel-good show. We don’t have the licence for the original songs from the film so we’re doing pop songs instead. We’ll have 500 Miles instead of Follow the Yellow Brick Road, things like that.
“There will be lots of audience interaction, something for everyone.”
Live theatre has suffered as a result of the lockdowns with many productions stopping altogether and the 2020 panto season moved online.
Jazz Hands Theatre group has been going since 2018 and has members from across Linwood, Johnstone and Paisley. The group rehearses in Glasgow and is looking forward to staging the show in Renfrew.
Andrew said: “As far as I’m aware we’re one of the first amateur theatre groups in the Renfrew area to announce their panto.
“The church has been really helpful and if it all goes well we’d love to come back regularly to Renfrew for more shows.
“We’d love to do a summer show and a panto every year.”
PAISLEY DAILY EXPRESS: Live news as it happens
The group is staging three performances. On Friday, December 10 at 7pm; Saturday, December 11 at 2pm and then at 7pm.
Tickets go on sale from September 30. Go to jazzhandsglasgow.co.uk/tickets to buy.
They are priced £9 for adults and £7 for children aged under 16 and concessions.
