The show grew rapidly - and by popular demand - from five performances at
the start to the seventeen consecutive performances, which are now presented
at the Secombe Theatre in Sutton. This is believed to be one of the longest runs
without a break, for an amateur company in this part of the country and calls for
considerable effort on their part. As a result the Pantomimes have established a
regular place, despite strong and growing competition, in the local social calendar. 

The Company, originally the brainchild of Charles Cryer, the Westmead Players
and Sutton Arts Council, eventually became known as the Carshalton Pantomime
Company. With help from many sources it has established its present strength.
The whole organisation is entirely unpaid and a few theatrical professionals help
voluntarily with the productions. 

All proceed have been donated to the Friends of Queen Mary's Hospital for
Children (now situated at St. Helier) and Orchard Hill (which remains on the
original site). This is a voluntary body, which raises money to provide amenities
and funds for items, sometimes essential, which may necessarily be regarded as
low priority on the Health Authority budget. 

Productions now generate a donation of around £10000 each year, and together
with mid-year activities have to date brought the grand total over the years to
over £200,000. Many prominent local actors and actresses have played in the
shows and the Company is proud that a number have "moved on" to success in
the professional theatre. 

The Company's wardrobe now comprises thousands of costumes, its scenery
store is extensive and properties abound, Throughout the year, many items are
used by other societies and professional companies. We provide many costumes
for other amateur and professional shows and scenery for many theatrical productions.
The Society's wardrobe has recently moved from its long-term home at Queen Mary's
to a new location in the grounds of Sutton Hospital, which members have re-plumbed,
re-decorated and re-wired to meets its needs.

A hard core of around thirty people works throughout the whole year, devising,
writing story lines and musing, designing and making costumes and scenery and,
for months, rehearsing. Costumes and scenery made for previous productions are
cleaned stored and made available for hire, thus generating additional funds.