These boots were made for walking: Puss In Boots comes home to Burgess Hill for 60th celebration

This January, Burgess Hill Theatre Club celebrates its 60th pantomime with “Puss in Boots” - a modernised version of their very first panto in 1966. They’ll be marking the milestone with a VIP Gala Performance on Saturday 16th January, attended by former cast, crew and supporters.

Not only is “Puss” the club’s 60th pantomime, but it’s also the 60th one produced by the Colledge family. June Colledge directed and starred in the original 1966 production, borrowing original scripts from her mother, Marjorie Ristori, who’d worked as production assistant and stage manager to leading London impresario, Emile Littler. June went on to direct the club’s pantos until 1996, with her daughters Suzi and Gina performing in and choreographing many of them. In January 1997, Suzi (Allan) and Gina (Paul) took over directing and producing the shows, adapting their mother’s scripts each year.

This year’s “Puss” will also be the 30th panto Suzi has directed. She says:

“Traditional pantomime was central to our family life; show business ran in our veins. In the early years, June particularly enjoyed playing the “baddie”. I loved creating her costumes and wigs, although helping her learn her lines took considerable patience. She later adapted scripts and wrote comedy sequences—skills I have also developed over the years to keep pace with changing times since we sadly lost her in 1996.”

Speaking about Burgess Hill Theatre Club, Suzi said: 

“None of this would be possible without the backstage and front-of-house teams—the unsung heroes who keep each production running. Being part of this dedicated club has been deeply rewarding. Its members feel like extended family, freely giving their time and always ready to help.”

Prior to 1966, the Downlanders Theatre Group performed pantomime in Burgess Hill. When the group closed, there appeared to be no future for panto in the town - until June Colledge took the mantle, producing and starring in the club’s first panto at the Park Centre. 

Venue: The Burgess Hill Academy, Station Road, Burgess Hill RH15 9EA.

Dates: January 2027 - Sat 16 (4pm/8pm) Sun 17 (12pm/4pm) Fri 22 (7.30pm) Sat 23 (4pm/8pm) 

Tickets: £15 including a programme at ticketsource.co.uk/burgess-hill-theatre-club with family tickets at £50 (4 seats, minimum 1 x adult, maximum 2 x adults) - online booking fee applies. Avoid the fee by visiting the Box Office in Church Walk (open 10am-12pm every Saturday).

For enquiries or to book over the phone, call the box office on 0333 666 3366 (calls charged at local rates, booking fee applies).