Performers preparing for Children in Need

The charity-based theatre company Wings Productions regularly produces shows for Children in Need.

As all the profits are donated to charity, the group has to start from scratch for funding the shows each time.

Musical director Sarah Milner said the youngsters had been busking and offering photos with Pudsey Bear for donations, and a quiz night was planned soon.

The group was in Worthing town centre over the weekend of September 21 and 22, with Sarah playing the violin and the youngsters singing and dancing, and more than £120 was raised.

The show, Children in Need 2013: Musical Box, is a high talent, high energy performance at the Shoreham Centre, Pond Road, on November 15 and 16.

A raffle will also be held at each of the three performances, to raise money for CLIC Sargent, which supports children with cancer.

Wings Productions, founded by Des Young, has been performing in Shoreham since 2005 and the 2011 show raised £1,500 for Children in Need.

Sarah, her sister Jenny Milner and friend Sarah Frost took a directorial role in 2011 and this year, they have fully taken over, with Jenny and Sarah Frost as choreographers.

Des, who has always had a passion for the theatre and getting young people involved with the stage, is still working on the project but in more of a back-seat role due to health issues.

Sarah said: “We are trying very hard to fundraise at the moment, in order to pay for the production.

“We have put nearly two years of work into it, and we would love for our hard work to create an amazing profit.

“We are so lucky and have a very talented cast, and we would like to let people know that this isn’t ‘just another charity show’ but something a bit unusual and worth coming to see.”

Pudsey will be appearing live on stage with celebrity good luck messages, played on video, at various times throughout the show.

The cast of 25 talented performers will sing and dance 26 numbers from more than 20 different musicals, all individually costumed.

The musicals featured in the show include Les Misérables, South Pacific, The Little Mermaid, Hairspray, Evita, Shrek the Musical, Jersey Boys, Wicked, Mary Poppins, Godspell and The Lion King.

Sarah said: “It is a massive task but one which everyone is thoroughly enjoying.

“The show itself is high energy and very varied, suitable for all ages.”

Performances are at 7.30pm on the Friday and Saturday, with a Saturday matinée at 2.30pm.

Tickets are £9. Call 01903 366610 or 07443890385, or visit www.ticketsource.co.uk/event/41335 to book tickets online.