Three of our colleagues are taking to the stage in a pantomime production of Aladdin. The show will run from Saturday, 27th January until Saturday, 3rd February at The Halifax and District YMCA.

Biomedical Scientist, Lucy Fulstow, will transform into Tingaling, Princess Jasmine's handmaid. Student Midwife, Riley Carney, will be performing as one of the dancers and Equans Contracts Manager, Karen Parkin, will be magicked into the role of a new comedy character called Wishee Washee.

Karen has been a part of the Halifax YMCA Pantomime Society since she was a child and will soon be receiving her 35-years Long Service Award. She originally joined to meet new people and to gain more confidence. During her time, she has played a variety of pantomime characters, including Cinderella, Snow White, Peter Pan and the Wicked Queen.

She said: “In this year’s production, I am looking forward to the community number at the end of the show. I love audience participation and it’s wonderful to see so many happy faces joining in, carefree, singing and smiling. Which is why we do what we do."

Each year the YMCA chooses a different charity to raise money for from a collection after the show. This year, the proceeds will go towards providing free school uniform for local school children. Ticket sale proceeds will go to the YMCA Charity. You can find out more information about the show here.