Beckenham pantomime group hosts special performances to honour friend and support Parkinson's UK
Croydon resident, Sharon Barrow, 58, has hosted a series of family pantomimes in a heartwarming tribute to her late friend and musical director, Chris Smith-Gillard, while raising funds for Parkinson’s UK.
The performances, part of the St Mark’s Players’ annual pantomime tradition, will take place at St George’s Hall, Albemarle Road, Beckenham, Bromley.
The first performances took place on Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 January, and were met with a fantastic reception from the audience. This year’s production, Pinocchio & The Blue Fairy, was originally written by Chris in 2008. Sharon and the St Mark’s Players are proud to bring it back to the stage in his memory.
Sharon Barrow said:
“Chris was not only a talented musician and our musical director but also a dear friend. He battled Parkinson’s bravely until his passing last February. By bringing Pinocchio & The Blue Fairy back to the stage, we hope to continue in his memory and raise money for Parkinson’s UK. Chris was involved in their work for many years, and this is our way of continuing his legacy.
“This production is not just about the performance - it’s about raising awareness of Parkinson’s, honouring Chris, and bringing our community together. We can’t wait to see everyone there.”
The group has been supporting charities for over 60 years, and this year, they aim to raise significant funds through donations collected at the shows and contributions from ticket sales.
Other performances have also taken place last weekend and the final shows will be this weekend on Saturday 1 February at 2:30pm and 7:30pm. The venue is at St George’s Hall, 27 Albemarle Road, Beckenham, Bromley, BR3 5HZ.
Parkinson's is a complex brain condition that gets worse over time. It’s the fastest growing neurological condition in the world, affecting 153,000 people in the UK. It has more than 40 symptoms, from tremor and pain to anxiety, and there is currently no cure.
Parkinson’s UK is the charity that’s here to support every Parkinson’s journey, every step of the way. For information and support, visit parkinsons.org.uk or call the charity’s free, confidential helpline on 0808 800 0303.
Tickets can be purchased via the group’s website, www.sm-players.co.uk, or by scanning the QR code on the event poster displayed outside St George’s Hall.
To support Sharon and the St Mark’s Players, people can also make a donation directly via their fundraising page: https://www.justgiving.com/page/st-marks-players-1733735131402.