TAVONIANS Theatre Company last week presented a cheque for £791.71 to St Luke’s Hospice.

The money was donated by the company’s audiences during its recent production of Cheshire Cats by Gail Young.

The play toured village halls across West Devon and East Cornwall in October and November and was highly praised for its comedy, but also its emotional impact on audience members. The play centred on a group of women — and one man — who took part in the London Moonlight Walk to raise funds for breast cancer charities.

After every performance the actors came to front of house to talk with audience members about the play and collect donations.

Peter Griffiths, chairman of Tavonians Theatre Company, said: ‘The link with St Luke’s Hospice was a natural one and we are so happy that we have been able to help raise money for such a fabulous and vitally important local charity, which provides so much love and care for people in need.’

The play was sponsored by Mansbridge Balment.

Nick Henderson, managing director of Mansbridge Balment, which sponsored the play, said: ‘We were so happy to sponsor this show, not only were people entertained in tremendous fashion, but one of the most worthy causes I can think of has benefitted to a considerable degree by the hard work of all those concerned.’

Tavonians Theatre Company will be back with its next production in February — The Thrill of Love by Amanda Whittington about Ruth Ellis, the last woman to be hanged in Britain. Picture by James Bird.