THE cast of Shrek entertained families at a special charity performance at The Haymarket.

BATS (Basingstoke Amateur Theatrical Society) secured funding from corporate sponsors Lavazza Professional and The MPC Ltd along with Hampshire County Council to offer tickets free of charge to local charities and community organisations to give them a night to remember.

Some of the cast, including Shrek and Donkey, held a special meet-and-greet for invited guests before the show which is being performed at The Haymarket until November 19.

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Children were given goody bags put together by sponsors The MPC Ltd – a marketing production company from Basingstoke – which included specially designed Shrek water bottles, sweets and snacks.

Claire Hooper and her family were given tickets through Naomi House Hospice.

Claire’s nine-year-old son Olly is one of just 150 children worldwide to suffer from the rare H-ABC, and he receives respite at Naomi House.

Mum-of-three Claire, from Andover, said: “It’s nice to have this family time. We have to think of Olly’s wheelchair and here they have really thought about how to accommodate us which makes it easier. Olly loves all the bright lights and music and we don’t normally have the chance to do something like this.”

Michaela Riley, founder of Basingstoke charity Spotlight said: “It is absolutely amazing. We have got 270 tickets for the show and we have families coming from across the area, as well as military families. It’s amazing, they will leave with a smile on their faces. We are very lucky to have been given this opportunity.”

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Mayor of Basingstoke Cllr Paul Miller was also at the event, and said: “This is a unique occasion, a charity show that over 100 families will benefit from. Families that would not normally have the opportunity to experience a night out like this. Shrek is a wonderful show and we all had a wonderful time.”

Emma Marsh, who owns The MPC Ltd with her husband Paul, said she was delighted to sponsor the charity performance, and said: “We support lots of different charities and we know one of the cast members of Shrek and he approached us and asked if we wanted to get involved.”

Ian Moseley, chairman of BATS, said: “With household budgets tightening we were very conscious that a theatre trip is fast becoming a luxury that not all can afford. Therefore, with support of sponsors, we were able to fully fund this extra performance.

“Working with charities, including Spotlight UK and Naomi House, tickets have been allocated to local children and their families who would not normally be able to afford to enjoy a live theatre performance.”

He gave a “special thanks” to BATS’ president Richard Bond “for all his efforts in making this invitation happen”.

Families filled the theatre to watch the uplifting musical following unlikely green hero Shrek, who finds himself on a life-changing journey alongside a wisecracking Donkey and the feisty Princess Fiona.

Based on the Oscar-winning Dreamworks Animation film, Shrek the Musical is a Tony Award-winning fairytale adventure that brings all the beloved characters from the film to life on stage.

Led by an all-female team of Sally Manning as director and co-choreographer, Julie Dance as musical director and Luannsa Goodman as choreographer, the show features a cast of more than 30 talented adults and children, who will put on 10 performances until November 19.

For performance times and ticket prices visit anvilarts.org.uk or call 01256 844244. Group bookings - call 01256 366935.