Christmas panto carries loan shark warning

Free tickets available for Cedarwood’s Cinderella panto

The cast of a fairytale pantomime with a twist are getting ready for audiences in North Tyneside.

The Cedarwood Trust, a community development charity working on the Meadow Well Estate of North Tyneside, have designed a sequel to a classic fairytale with modern messages for a 21^st century audience.

The script was written and will be performed by Blowin’ A Hooley, a Tyne and Wear based Theatre Company.  The actors have starred in Big Screen Films such as “I, Daniel Blake” and TV series “Wolfblood”

The much-loved Disney classic, Cinderella (the sequel) promises to take the audience on an enchanted adventure about their favourite princess who is struggling to make ends meet.

Phil McGrath, Chief Executive of Cedarwood Trust, said:

“We are delighted to be working with Blowin’ a Hooley Theatre Company and Stop Loan Sharks to engage people in this venture. What has been produced is an excellent show with all of the elements of a traditional Panto but with a very strong message for parents and children, and indeed the wider community. We look forward to introducing the community to a larger than life cast of fairytale characters tackling a serious issue that poisons their land. In the tradition of the panto things can go awry when you haven’t got two buttons!”

The new storyline includes modern themes about money dilemmas and debt and raises awareness of the dangers of using loan sharks.

A performance of Cedarwood’s Cinderella will take place at Cedarwood Trust, North Shields, NE29 7QT on Wednesday, 28 November at 6pm.

Harriet Ghost, Co-founder and Actor at Blowin’ A Hooley Theatre, said:

“We’re really excited to be performing Cedarwood’s Cinderella for members of the Meadow Well community. It’s a fun family show but it also carries an important message with it. We’ve been working with Cedarwood Trust since we started our theatre company and we hope that our pantomime helps the Meadow Well community to enjoy a happy and safe Christmas.”

The England Illegal Money Lending Team (IMLT) a national team that investigate and prosecute loan sharks, have funded the project using proceeds of crime money seized from criminals.

Tony Quigley, Head of Service for the England Illegal Money Lending Team, said:

“We’re delighted to have collaborated with Cedarwood Trust and Blowin’ A Hooley Theatre on this loan shark themed pantomime.  It uses a kids’ fairytale story to convey messages about the pitfalls of using illegal money lenders.

“With Christmas fast approaching now is often the time when people find their finances most stretched – meaning it is also the time when loan sharks are most likely to strike.

“It’s important that families avoid loan sharks this Christmas and report to us on 0300 555 2222 if they have already fallen victim.”

To book your free tickets to the panto, call Cedarwood Trust on 0191 259 0245.

For more details, visit the Hooley Theatre Facebook page.

Nationally, Illegal Money Lending Teams have secured more than 382 prosecutions for illegal money lending and related activity, leading to nearly 330 years’ worth of custodial sentences. They have written off over £74 million worth of illegal debt and helped over 28,000 people.

To report a loan shark:

Call the 24/7 confidential hotline 0300 555 2222

Text a report to 078600 22116

Visit the website

E-mail reportaloanshark@stoploansharks.gov.uk 

Private message us on www.facebook.com/stoploansharksproject