St George’s Church stages ‘Cat in Wellies’ panto

It’s panto season at St George’s and St Hilda’s Church, whose thespian societies prepare to perform Cat in Wellies on 3–4 February – with music by the St George’s Pantomime Band, conducted by Nick Southern.

Written by Catherine Laidler and Graham Rutt, and dedicated to the memory of Peter Rooney, the panto is based on Charles Perrault’s Le Maistre Chat, ou Le Chat Botté – more famously known as Puss in Boots.

Image credit with thanks: St George's Church

The plot revives Perrault’s fairy tale about a cat’s unusual abilities to manipulate minds, orchestrate conspiracies and employ trickery in order to obtain wealth for his poor master. The story portrays the four legged protagonist’s determination and the way he plans, pursues and ultimately accomplishes his goals of finding a wealthy royal bride for his master. His only request in order to accomplish his mission: a pair of boots.

Graham Rutt, co-writer and co-director of Cat in Wellies told JesmondLocal: “As always, the writers of the annual St George’s and St Hilda’s pantomime have used their imagination to its fullest extent.

“It is an amateur production in which anyone who wants a part is given one. The humour and the obvious fun the cast themselves have are infectious”.

The pantomime will be performed at the Church Hall on Friday 3rd of February at 7.30pm and on Saturday 4th February at 3.00pm and 7.30pm. Tickets cost £5 and can be purchased from the parish office of St George’s Church between 9.30am and 12.30pm, from  Monday to Friday.

“This is a show that will warm up those cold winter nights, even if, by the time it is performed, the plot has several twists and turns that poor old Perrault never intended…” adds Rutt.

For more information, contact St George’s office on 0191 281 1659 or email at office@stgeorgesjesmond.org.uk