Look behind you – it’s
Wrexham
& District Pantomime Company
Delivering community-based theatre and best known for its annual pantomime performances staged every year at William Aston Hall, combining popular shows and family entertainment with essential fundraising for local charities.
Proud History
We sat down in the Foundry with their recently appointed chairman, Stuart Bold, who has been active with the company for over 23 years, having started off his career with the company starring as Buttons aged just 14.
The company was previously named the Walter Roberts Pantomine company and was originally founded in 1907. It has been producing pantomimes ever since and continuously now for well over a century, making it one of the mainstays of Wrexham’s cultural life.
Stuart explained to us that none of the nearly 50 members of his troupe get paid - they all do it for the love of their community and the art of entertaining.
Charitable
Causes
Every year, usually around February half-term, its members produce a popular family pantomime, featuring songs, comedy, audience participation, and spectacular costumes - all written, created and performed by members of the team. All profits from these well attended performances are then kindly donated to local charities, including Nightingale House Hospice, highlighting the company’s community focus.
This year the family of the late chairman Fred Taylor chose 3 popular local charities that meant the most to them, which included the Critical Care Garden at nearby Wrexham Maelor Hospital.
Recent
Performances
Recent and Upcoming Performances: The 2026 family production was Beauty and the Beast, again staged at William Aston Hall, with performances delivered from 19th to 21st February 2026. With 6 popular shows and performances they generated nearly 1500 tickets sold and raised thousands of pounds for charity.
In recent years the team have attempted to extend their offering for extended audiences with a more mature offering. Offering adults only performances and a retelling called 'Sleeping with Beauty' - offering a humorous night out, which was performed at nearby Brymbo Sports & Social Club back in December last year, helping generate much needed additional revenues for their not-for-profit venture.
75 years
at William
Aston Hall
The Company are very keen to make plans now for their 75th anniversary celebrations of performing at William Aston Hall, scheduled for 2029, with a fitting performance schedule and series of shows.
This is quite the achievement and requires a fitting schedule to match.
Stuart shared with us they are keen to support and combine their plans with the celebrations the City will be making all being well during the same year, as Wrexham plans to secure the Wrexham 2029 City of Culture status – which is currently under application. The Visit Wrexham team will get behind and support Stuart and the team wherever we can – so we can help raise the profile of this great local institution.
Future
Plans
Going forward Stuart is looking at new ways to protect its coveted status as an established community theatre and reinforcing its long-standing relationship and deep connections to William Aston Hall.
Hopefully this will happen soon given that the recent new owners of William Aston Hall- Theatr Cymru - will wish to honour the long-standing role community theatre has made to the town and people of Wrexham.
We look forward to following the progress Stuart and the team continue to make in that regard, covering their plans for upcoming performances and supporting them.
We believe that all these sustained efforts will protect future family and community performances for many more years to come. Pantomime is an essential part of our social history and culture and we can't wait to cover and support their next one.