The Ashford Theatre Society (AST) has announced its latest ‘Encore’ charity event, supporting Great Ormond Street Hospital and The Brain Tumour Charity.
The award-winning theatre group has earned a prestigious reputation in Kent, recognised for its elaborate pantomimes, most recently performing Sleeping Beauty in January 2024.
Established in 2018, ‘Encore’ has been an annual tradition for AST as a one-night-only performance supporting charities chosen by a group member.
Tracy Hickman, 46, a member of AST, decided to take the lead on her second ‘Encore’ production — previously supporting the charity Demelza in 2019 — feeling “now is the right time”.
The charities selected for this year’s performance hold significant importance in Ms Hickman’s life.
Ms Hickman said: “Throughout planning this event, it has been terrific having the support of the whole society behind me.”
“Everyone has different ideas and fresh perspectives, and it’s amazing exploring them to bring my vision to life,” she added.
Alan Stamp, 32, founder of AST, added: “We wanted to create something Ashford would be proud of, and we’re incredibly fortunate to have the support of our local community.”
“Every year, we try to make our shows bigger and better, and this year is no exception.”
The event promises to be an “evening of musical theatre” performed by members of AST, showcasing the genre’s broad spectrum.
Various services will be available throughout the performance, including a refreshments stand and the opportunity to participate in a raffle with prizes donated by local businesses.
Ms Hickman said: “Encore gives us a unique opportunity, as we’re not tied down to a structure or a script, but instead, we have the freedom to be ourselves and have that personal connection with our community.”
“Not only are we having fun alongside the audience, but we also get to give back to incredible causes,” she added.
A spokesperson for The Brain Tumour Charity said: “We are very grateful to all our supporters for their creativity and dedication in fundraising for us.”
“Through the efforts of groups like the Ashford Theatre Society, we aim to change the shocking statistics of brain tumours by funding programmes which we believe will truly transform the research landscape.”
‘Encore’ will be a one-night performance at Christchurch Community Hall on Saturday, June 8th, 2024, at 19:30.
Tickets are available through TicketSource or via their Box Office, and proceeds will go towards their chosen charities.
