Still a chance to see a Christmas show this year
CAST ANNOUNCED FOR SMALL SEASONAL PRODUCTION
THERE may be no panto this year, but families eager for some sort of Christmas show this festive season still have one option – a small production being staged at a Derby theatre.
Mike Kenny’s The Little Mermaid is an uplifting underwater adventure ideal for ages five years and over, and replaces Derby Theatre’s scheduled production of Aladdin, which had to be postponed because of the Covid restrictions.
The Little Mermaid will allow a smaller audience into the theatre, with social distancing and other safety measures in place.
It will feature two teams of actors, who will perform on alternate days, and the cast includes: April Nerissa Hudson (with credits including Man Like Mobeen and Doctors for the BBC, and Wanted, celebrating Women’s History Month for Gazebo Theatre’s national tour); Oliver Ashworth (A Christmas Carol for Derby Theatre, The Ballad of Robin Hood for Southwark Playhouse, Downton Abbey for ITV and Knightfall for the History Channel and Netflix); Joelle Brabban (War Horse for the National Theatre, My Mother Said I Never Should and The Rise and Fall of Little Voice for Theatre by the Lake and Holes for Nottingham Playhouse); and Jordan Laidley (Shere Khan in The Jungle Book for Jelly Fish Theatre, The Polar Express for Vintage Trains, Aladdin for Polka Dot and Shebeen for Nottingham Playhouse).
The show is set far below ocean waves, where The Little Mermaid finds herself out of her depth as she battles with storms and witches to find her one true love.
She is enthralled with the unknown world above the sea and the humans that inhabit it, and longs to leave her beautiful world and chase happiness as a human.
But transformation and love come at a price.
Directed by Sarah Brigham, from the creative team who have produced many much-loved Derby Theatre Christmas shows, this enchanting story promises to be a theatrical experience that will thrill children and adults alike.
Tickets are still available for the 55-minute show, which has several social distancing requirements in place, from Saturday, December 5 to Saturday, December 2. Some shows now have limited seating or have sold out. Prices are from £12 a ticket.
Productions will be subject to what lockdown restrictions will be in place after December 2.
Go to www.derbytheatre.co.uk/ book/16839 to book tickets.
Another festive production with an innovative way of bringing the entertainment to you doorstep, has proved so popular that it has sold out.
Twas The Night Before Christmas – Live Theatre On Your Door Step, a 15-minute socially distanced adventure for little ones aged 4-9 and their families was available to those who live within 10 kilometres of Derby city centre.
Twas The Night Before Christmas is a mini magical theatre experience which promised the audience to “put on your cosy slippers, wrap up in your cuddliest blanket and settle down for a festive treat, without having to leave your home!”
The Front Door Theatre production, in association with Derby Theatre, had the actors turn up at your home at a booked time, where the show would be performed outside.