The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Performers do the legwork
Angus panto performers are limbering up to put 10 million steps behind them in a fundraiser to keep their club going through the pandemic.
In the quirky challenge, Carnoustie Theatre Club aims to give its fans something different to look forward to in December by taking part in a 5,000-mile virtual trek from the links town’s famous golf resort hotel to a namesake spa in India.
The fun event has a serious side for the club, which saw its 2020 programme wiped out and has received no government suppor t to stay afloat during the pandemic.
The doors of its small Dibble Tree Theatre have remained shut during the crisis after the May decision to cancel the planned panto production – Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol – for the first time in half a century.
The loss of the club’s biggest annual fundraiser has hit the group hard, according to panto manager Jen Taylor.
“It was a ver y hard decision to take, but we just knew even then that we wouldn’t be able to go ahead with it because of the situation.
“It has left us in a very difficult position and we are desperate for funds to meet the costs associated with the upkeep of the theatre.
“There has been absolutely nothing come to us in terms of external funding so we have been dreaming up ideas and trying to do something different every month.”
A chance internet search uncovered the Carnoustie
Ayurveda and Wellness Resort in Kerala, India, and that will be the destination for the walking challenge.
It will start on December 1 and the aim is to complete the trek by Hogmanay.
Jen said: “It is 5,245 miles and we’ve calculated that to be 10,490,000 steps.
“We’re asking folk to join in the fundraiser and log their steps, with the hope we can reach the other Carnoustie on December 31.
“At the moment we have about 25 people involved, but what we really hope is that the youngsters get on board with this.”
Anyone interested can contact jenntee1@aol.com or visit the club’s Facebook page. The group’s 2021 plans include the Vicar Of Dibley in May, a September show and the postponed performance of A Christmas Carol.