Charity cavalcade to grace Civic stage

THE SOUNDS of the Edwardian music hall will ring out at Rotherham Civic Theatre this summer in aid of a hospital appeal.

THE SOUNDS of the Edwardian music hall will ring out at Rotherham Civic Theatre this summer in aid of a hospital appeal.

Pocket Panto and Little Pixie Productions will present Edwardian Cavalcade on July 22, raising money for the Rotherham Hospital and Community Charity’s Purple Butterfly Appeal.

The family show is the idea of Swallownest actor Jeremy Stroughair, whose mum Maureen Stroughair (78) died at Rotherham hospital after battling Alzheimer’s disease.

There she had the benefit of a Purple Butterfly Room, which provided privacy and dignity in her last days, as well as facilities for relatives to stay with her.

Jeremy said: “I wanted to do something to raise money for the Purple Butterfly Appeal to honour my mum’s memory and to help channel the sadness I feel about losing her into something positive.

“Theatre is in my blood, so I thought a show dedicated to her was the perfect way to celebrate her life.

“My mum would have loved the show. It will be full of fun, from start to finish.

“It will be joyous with lots of singing to classic tunes based around the First World War and the Music Hall era, which I’m sure will send our audience home humming a tune or two.”

He added: “Everyone at Little Pixie Productions and Pocket Panto are working really hard to ensure the show is wonderful.

“I really hope we can fill the Rotherham Civic Theatre to the rafters.

“I hope the show helps to raise as much money as possible — not only to give my mum the send-off she deserves, but to help fund another Purple Butterfly room so other patients and families can benefit in future too.”

Each Purple Butterfly Room costs £75,000 to build and furnish. Rotherham Hospital currently has three Purple Butterfly rooms, located on Ward A2, Fitzwilliam Ward and the Labour Ward.

Jeremy, who will compere the show, added: “My family and I were incredibly grateful that my mum was able to spend time in the Purple Butterfly room at Rotherham Hospital before she passed away.

“It had all the facilities we needed and it meant we had the privacy and space to spend time with her when it really mattered and to say goodbye.”

Jeremy’s Edwardian Cavalcade will feature magic and music with sing-along classics like It’s a Long Way To Tipperary and Daisy, Daisy.

Barry Mellor, chair of the charitable funding committee, said: “The charity is incredibly fortunate to have such dedicated and ambitious fundraisers like Jeremy and everyone at Pocket Panto and Little Pixie Productions, who I know are working hard to ensure the Edwardian Cavalcade is a wonderful and fitting tribute to Maureen.

“It’s the first time anyone has hosted a professional theatre production in aid of the charity and I’m sure it will be a memorable day for everyone involved.

“Tickets are selling fast, so I’m sure it will be a fantastic atmosphere.”

Tickets cost £10 each — visit www.rotherhamtheatres.co.uk/whats-on for more information and to book.

Alternatively, call Rotherham Civic Theatre on 01709 823621.

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