Faith helps Crawley panto star Chrissie Perkins through the tough times

This year, after the most remarkable year, she returns to the Hawth for pantomime in very different circumstances.

Dolly Saves Panto runs from Friday, December 18-Sunday, January 3.

It will be performed by a cast of just five to a socially distanced audience; there will be fewer people than normal in the auditorium to ensure the appropriate distancing between audience members.

“I had toured with Evita so I had been to the theatre before, but it was my first panto there last year, and I loved it. It was great working with the guys who perform there regularly and are back again this year (Michael J Batchelor and Richard Franks).

“This year we have got 70 minutes, and it won’t be the full-blown two-act panto with all the singing and dancing and all the children and all the ensemble. We are going to have to keep all the energy up with just five people on the stage.

“I am a dancer as well so that is exciting. I am hoping that I can continue to run around the stage trying to create a lot of energy that way. I am not a stand-still person! I will take up the mantel of keeping everyone on board!