A SNEAK thief spoilt the party for Sandbach Players as they prepared to hold a monster 'bash' to celebrate the success of a comic horror production.

The group were giving their final Saturday night performance of 'The House of Frankenstein' at Sandbach School when the meanie snatched a cash box containing bar takings of over £300.

"It was stolen during the interval. Backstage staff had earlier apprehended a man trying to gain access to the dressing room by purporting to be a relative of a member of the cast," said a spokesman.

"It is thought the same man bided his time, eluding front of house staff, before snatching the cash box from the bar at the end of the interval, just as the curtain went up for the start of the second act," he added.

Another man was also seen 'hanging about'. Police are investigating.

On Monday a force spokesman confirmed that there were two suspects, but no arrests had been made.

The Frankenstein play has been a winner for the group and members were looking forward to seeing a reasonable profit.

"Funds had been very low going into the new season and everyone had worked very hard to ensure that this, the opening production, would be a critical and financial success," said Technical Director Alan Hughes-Jones.

"Members and guests had been looking forward to celebrating at the traditional after-show party when the thief struck. Bar proceeds are an essential part of our income and the theft has, in effect, undone everybody's hard work," he added.

The production had been set to return a reasonable profit which would have put the group in good stead for the season ahead.

"But the theft means that the production has now run at a loss," said Mr Hughes-Jones.

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