Dorking’s Meadowbank Stadium was abuzz recently, not with the usual proud supporters in the crowd and glory on the pitch but instead with a sprinkling of stardust and more than a little pantomime magic…

Usually seen scoring big in the National League, Dorking Wanderers’ First Team instead played host to the stars of Dorking Halls’ Christmas pantomime, Peter Pan, welcoming the star-studded cast to its perfectly manicured pitch.

Following warm greetings and introductions on both sides – including from Amelle Berrabah of record-breaking girl band, the Sugababes who is set to play Tiger Lily in the Christmas pantomime and from Collabro’s Thomas Redgrave, winner of Britain’s Got Talent, who will be starring as Peter Pan himself – the stage was set for an afternoon of fun and games.

First up, the football stars put the panto cast to the test with a series of football skills challenges that saw Captain Hook (actor Oliver Broad) pitched against Defender Brennan Camp in goal (to encouraging shouts of “Hook it in!”) and Peter Pan testing his dribbling skills as taught by Midfielder, Frank Vincent, who was quick to confirm that he was indeed “flying”.

Not to be upstaged by the boys, next up, Wendy and Tinker Bell were both ready and eager to show off their skills on the pitch. With expert guidance from Wanderers’ Captain, Charlie Carter, Wendy (Sophie Elmes, direct from West End musical, Clueless) powered a goal past Midfielder, Dennon Lewis, with ease and Tinker Bell (Hollie Hubsch) wowed the crowd with her skilful flicks and tricks.

With the autumn sun beating down on the stadium, it was then time for the panto stars to turn the tables and put the popular footballers through their paces – this time on the dancefloor. With 90’s classic, ‘Follow The Leader’ by The Soca Boys and DJ Casper’s ‘Cha Cha Slide’ blasting, the cast of Peter Pan took the DorkingWanderers players through a fun-filled dance routine that had them stepping, galloping and twisting to the beat.

Showing off their skills in the stadium in a different way, with the pitch becoming a performance stage of a more theatrical kind, the footballers picked up the pace, displaying more than a little rhythm as they matched the panto stars step-by-step. Alongside Carter, Camp, Lewis and Vincent, Defenders Josh Hebert and Jimmy Muitt showed off their dancing prowess, with Head Coach, Rob Tuvey and Coach, Jordan Clark, moving and grooving along with the rest of them.

Dorking Wanderers’ Head Coach, Rob Tuvey, commented:

“It was brilliant to have the Dorking Halls production team down at Dorking Wanderers. The atmosphere was fantastic, and it really showed how much energy and enthusiasm there is in the community. We’re all really looking forward to this year’s pantomime, Peter Pan – it’s going to be another magical show for families across the area and we hope we can also produce some magical moments on the pitch this season.”

As the day wound down, invitations to Wanderers’ games and the Dorking Halls pantomime were warmly granted from both sides, along with more than a little newfound respect for both the skill of pro footballers and of professional dancers and panto performers. “It’s not as easy as it looks!” was heard ringing out from both groups as they bid a warm farewell to a brilliant day.

Enchanted Entertainment’s Peter Pan is on at Dorking Halls from Friday 19 to Tuesday 30 December, with both matinee and evening performances.

Tickets are on sale now and can be booked via the Dorking Halls Box Office on 01306 881717 or by visiting dorkinghalls.co.uk/panto.