Knit for Aladdin
Discover an exciting knit project for the festive season – here’s how to get involved with the Aladdin pantomime at Richmond’s Georgian Theatre Royal
At the heart of Richmond’s Georgian Theatre Royal is the annual festive pantomime, which encourages people from all walks of life to share the festive spirit through laughter and knitting. Yes, knitting has become an integral part of the Theatre and its continued successful performances. Each year, hundreds of knitted objects are incorporated into the show, sometimes as ‘missiles’ to be hurled by the audience at a specific point of the action or sometimes as elaborate decorations to adorn the historic building. It’s an unusual and rather unique opportunity for any keen knitter to see their knits up on the stage! This year the theatre is appealing for knitted or crocheted light bulbs, which will be used during the 58 upcoming performances of the pantomime, Aladdin.
HOW IT ALL STARTED
The theatre’s knitting tradition first started in 2011, when over 1,000 bananas were knitted for The Adventures of Sinbad. In the following years there have been countless snowballs, leaves, apples and doughnuts, culminating in last year’s spectacular giant knitted patchwork blanket for the set of Sleeping Beauty. Incredibly, contributions have been sent from knitters around the world, both local and overseas. For 2019 the theatre is hoping for as many light bulbs to be produced as possible and all contributions are gratefully received. If there are any spare light bulbs then these will be put to creative use to help decorate the theatre during the festive period. Once the pantomime is over, the theatre always tries to find a good home for the knitted objects. The knitted leaves and apples made displays at the RSPB nature reserve at Saltholme and the doughnuts made fun ball pools for local nursery schools. The knitted squares went to a church group and also decorated the wall of a house in a charity yarn bombing display.
HOW YOU CAN HELP!
A light bulb knitting pattern can be picked up from the box o ce or downloaded from the panto page on the theatre’s website: www.georgiantheatreroyal.co.uk. Alternatively, people can make up their own designs – all colours and sizes are welcomed. Finished light bulbs should be handed in at the box o ce or posted to The Georgian Theatre Royal, Victoria Road, Richmond, North Yorkshire DL10 4DW to arrive by Saturday 30 November. Aladdin will run from 6 December until 12 January 2020. Tickets from £10.50 to £22 and available from the box o ce on 01748 825252 or via the online booking service at www.georgiantheatreroyal.co.uk.