Gary Easter panto has genie-us

With the help of dozens of local children, a Wishaw actor has organised an Easter panto to raise funds for charity.

Garry Ellis, who recently moved back to his home town after living in London for 10 years, has enlisted the help of students from his drama school Go Kids to perform in Jack in the Beanstalk at Hamilton Accies Stadium on April 7.

Gary, 29, who played the Dame in last year’s Motherwell Civic Centre panto, told the Wishaw Press this is a great opportunity for budding actors and actresses to shine whilst raising funds for a worthy cause.

He added:“When I first thought about doing the panto I wasn’t sure wether to star in it myself with other professional actors or to make it just for the kids. After speaking with some of the teachers, we decided letting the kids take the leads would be an amazing opportunity for them.

“Usually in pantos younger actors take a back seat and leave the main parts for the professionals so we thought what a better way to give them a chance to shine. It will be experience for them and I know they are all going to do me proud. I’m really looking forward it. It’s going to be hectic but what show isn’t.”

Students from Garry’s classes in Wishaw, Shotts and Hamilton will have only four days to prepare for their final performance.

They will attend a fourday workshop during the first week of the Easter holidays and then star in two show’s on the Friday.

Gary added: “I am delighted to be able to organise this panto to raise funds for the Community Outreach programme in Hamilton.

“They do amazing work all over Lanarkshire.”