A POPULAR panto group has made a triumphant post-Covid-19 return to the stage to put on Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, raising hundreds for charity in the process.

The Ruyton Amateur Theatrical Society (RATS) has returned bigger and better with 2021's production, written by Ben Crocker, a renowned script writer who has worked for the BBC.

The crowd was entertained by a cast of 25, including 10 newcomers, with Elsa Brobeck-Brown playing Snow White, with Caitlyn Dean as Prince Frederick, and the seven dwarfs were played by young Rats from Ruyton and surrounding villages.

A spokesman said: "Ruyton Amateur Theatrical Society (Rats) would like to thank everyone who supported the sell out run of five shows, including all the local businesses who generously pledged money towards production costs.

"The panto was staged in Ruyton XI Towns village hall and attended by nearly 500 people from all edges of Shropshire.

"The show opened with our young Rats regaling the audience with their rendition of 'Panto's Coming Home', a variation on the well-known football anthem.

"It included several musical numbers, including 'Hello Dolly' and 'Killer Queen', and closed with our infamous comedy version of 'The 12 Days of Christmas'.

"Thanks to everyone who organised and supported the charity raffle, which raised a fantastic £603 for Cancer Research UK, in memory of a much loved and dearly departed Rat, Anne Smith."

The show was considered a huge success with social media comments from the audience including 'absolutely superb and just what we've been needing' and 'thanks so much for a brilliant evening'.

For more about the RATS, head to www.facebook.com/RATSpanto