Alternative Medicine Theatre are back - ‘Oh yes they are!’

The local amateur dramatics group formed back in 1985, and was based at the old Waveney Hospital site. The members were mostly hospital staff and every December they presented a pantomime. Through the years they have donated the proceeds to numerous hospital departments and community projects.

Some of the original members from 1985 are still with the theatre company (Pat McGaughey, Heather McCormish, Idris Morrow and Alan McCandless) as well as others who have joined the cast and crew throughout the years. Of course, there are a few new faces this year too.

This year’s pantomime is a classic. “Cinderella”.

The script was written in 2007, so has a modern twist to it. It follows the traditional story of the famous and well loved fairytale and all the characters that you would expect to see will be there and a few others as well. It is directed by Len Hall and co-directed by Alan McCandless and Tom Smith.

One of the differences this year is that the shows are being staged in January, in the Braid Arts Centre.

There will be four performances. Thursday, January 5, at 8pm, Friday, January 6, at 8pm, Saturday January 7 at 1.30pm and the last show is on Saturday, January 7 at 8pm.

The price for admission is only £5 for adults and £4 for children and senior citizens. The tickets will be on sale at Braid Art Centre Box Office in due course.

Proceeds from this years ticket sales will be going to local group The Friday Night (TFN) Club which is a youth club for young people with physical disabilities. Also benefiting from a donation from proceeds is the new McMillan Unit at Antrim Hospital.

Rehearsals are well on the way, and the backstage crew are busy as well.

They hope the Ballymena public and further afield will remember Alternative Medicine Theatre and keep supporting them the way they have in the past.