REHEARSALS have begun in earnest for New Addington Salvation Army's second community pantomime – Snow White and the Seven Stall Holders.

Membership of the community church has grown significantly in recent years and leaders Matt and Emma Spencer are keen to help spread some Christmas cheer. They hit upon the idea last year and had a ‘sell out’ free production of Cinderella.

Matt Spencer said, ‘The church has grown a lot over the past three years and we've got some really capable people. Drama graduate Kathryn Doncaster is directing the whole thing’. He adds ‘Back by popular demand are Cinderella’s ugly sisters, this time fighting over “who is the fairest in the land” and back too are the “Fairy-God Sistas” who rocked the house last year.’ When Matt and Emma arrived in 2008 there were around a dozen regular churchgoers. But the New Addington Salvation Army Community Church now has over 80 regular members and also runs SingCROnise, a community gospel choir, which has participated in the New Addington Carnival and Peoples’ Day celebrations for the past few years.

Emma Spencer said: ‘A number of families have seen we're a church that likes to do things a little bit differently and wants to be at the heart of the community. Lots of people who attended last year’s panto were heard saying they didn’t expect the “church” to do something like that and were pleasantly surprised.’ Snow White will be held at the ACA (New Addington Community Centre) in Central Parade on Saturday 10 December 2011 at 7.00pm and on Sunday 11 December 2011 at 7.00pm. To order your free tickets or to find out more about New Addington Salvation Army Community Church call 07531 666 362. Alternatively, e-mail snowwhite.panto@gmail.com to book your seat.

Based on information supplied by Paul Pirie.