A huge cast is getting ready to jive, shimmy and shake in order to raise money and awareness for local charities, writes Eleanor Virgo.

Able-Unique Plus will be performing an all-singing, all dancing variety show at the Epsom Playhouse to help those with a disabilities or people affected by them. Organiser Stephanie Thistle, a dancer and chorographer, has performed in Epsom's Ashley Centre and the marketplace to promote her variety show and its cause.

Thistle, who has a depressive disorder, says she was left unable to walk after coming off medication for her illness in the past.

She was able to recover, and has found that setting up Able-Unique Plus has given her a new lease of life. But, she worries many others are not as lucky as she has been and wants to use her talents to raise awareness of the issue.

"I used to choreograph and there was no better way for me to raise awareness to aid disability," she says.

Thistle’s extremely hands-on approach has meant the steady growth of her brainchild. Since being set up in January, Able-Unique Plus now boasts an 100-strong cast.

The show features a mixture of local talent such as choirs, local novelty acts, a host of professional dancers and a medley of singers.

The show will be in aid of the Epsom Medical Equipment Fund, SeeAbility, the Children’s Trust, Epsom and Ewell Citizens' Advice Bureau, Carers of Epsom, the Derby Medical Centre and the Hub Epsom.

Able-Unique Plus Variety Music Performance; Epsom Playhouse, Ashley Avenue, Epsom; Monday April 27; 7.30pm; £12 donation for charity, call: 01372 742555; visit: epsomplayhouse.co.uk.