Panto saved Performers to live together to ensure show goes on
MANY theatres around the country have been forced to cancel their lucrative Christmas pantos already this year due to coronavirus restrictions, putting the future of some venues in doubt.
But at least one local theatre has found a way to ensure the show goes on and the much-loved tradition continues.
Bosses at The Playhouse Theatre in Weston-super-Mare have announced their plans to put on a ‘socially distanced’ panto this year.
The show, Sleeping Beauty, will replace the planned production of Jack and the Beanstalk which has been postponed until Christmas 2021.
The theatre announced last month its plans to reopen in the autumn subject to securing Government grant funding.
Performers appearing in the panto will go into a ‘bubble’ two weeks before rehearsals start and live together during the shows.
The number of people allowed in the auditorium for each show will also be reduced to ensure social distancing is adhered to.
Playhouse general manager Mark Thompson said: “We’re keen to ensure that this year we still offer those who wish to attend a magical Christmas treat for all ages.
“But with the continued restrictions around social distancing that makes a production of the scale we had planned for Jack and the Beanstalk impossible at this point whilst social distancing remains.
“That being said, we believe that Christmas simply wouldn’t be Christmas without a Playhouse pantomime so we’re reinventing the spinning wheel and putting together a fantastic socially distanced pantomime of Sleeping Beauty.
“Although it will be different than our previous productions to fit within the requirements of social distancing we’re bringing back some of our best loved professional performers from previous pantomimes.
“They have all agreed to bubble together from two weeks prior to rehearsals, live together during the shows and give up their own Christmas with family and friends to ensure that they stay as a bubble and allow us to present this year’s festive show for the community.
“Due to social distancing within the auditorium the show will have a much reduced attendance capacity.
“There will be less than half the number of seats available than those who actually watched our show last year and will be on a first come, first served basis.”
The panto will run for one hour and 20 minutes and tickets are being reduced to £20.
Theatre bosses are also appealing to audiences to make an additional donation to the Friends of the Playhouse on top of the ticket price.
North Somerset Council has already agreed a cash grant of £100,000 to Parkwood Leisur, operator of The Playhouse, to help cover its losses incurred by the coronavirus pandemic.
A bid for funding has also been made to the Government’s Culture Recovery Fund for further cash to allow it to reopen.
Mark added: “The year’s pantomime wouldn’t be possible without the continued support of the Friends of the Playhouse.
“They have agreed to financially assist the venue throughout this time whereby we were forced to close overnight.
“The last six months have been a very difficult period in our history and a continued battle to ensure that we protect our much loved town’s home of live entertainment for future generations in an unprecedented national situation.
“The Friends of the Playhouse once again have stepped up to ensure that not only do we survive this period but that we can offer the community a much needed Christmas extravaganza so that we all end the year on a more positive note than we’ve experienced so far and with an opportunity to smile and laugh together as a family.
“Our gratitude of thanks simply do not even begin to repay the Friends for their support this year.
“The committee have been by our side both for moral and practical assistance all year with the support of the wider membership and this year that support has reached a new level with them doing exactly what they initially set up to do – be our guardian angels in our darkest moment of need.
“Therefore we’re asking the community to support the friends where possible with an optional donation on top of the ticket price so that they can continue to support us at this time and through our recovery back to our best – bringing the best of live entertainment to North Somerset.”
This year’s production will be produced by Mark Thompson and the management team at the venue on behalf of Parkwood Theatres with it being co-presented by the Friends of the Playhouse.
Weston favourite Mike Goble who directed and starred in the Aladdin pantomime in 2017 and Snow White in 2018 will return after a year out to direct this year’s socially distanced pantomime and will also co star.
Snow White’s much loved dame, Richard Alan also returns with some other familiar faces yet to be announced.
Those who have already purchased tickets to Jack and the Beanstalk will be contacted in due course by the venue with options on tickets.
Tickets are available at www.theplayhouse.co.uk
❝ The Friends of the Playhouse once again have stepped up to ensure that not only do we survive this period but that we can offer the community a much needed Christmas extravaganza so that we all end the year on a more positive note