Happy days are (nearly) here again – as the York Theatre Royal travelling panto is almost ready to take to the road.
It was back in September that we reported how the theatre was mobilising a show to deliver Christmas cheer to audiences around York.
And let’s face it, we could all do with a laugh at the end of this year.
Now the venues and dates have been revealed (subject to whatever restrictions might be in place of course). And tickets are on sale – see panel for details.
Described as a “fun-sized, free-wheeling, festive treat for the whole family” The Travelling Pantomime takes socially-distanced audience participation to a whole new level.
For not only can you have a fun evening out at the 70-minute show, filled with music, puns and general daftness – you can even choose the story.
Before it begins the audience will be asked to choose from three traditional panto faves – Dick Whittington, Jack and the Beanstalk and Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.
Where and when to see it
2 December – members only preview, York Theatre Royal (pop-up theatre on main stage).
3 December – preview, York Theatre Royal (pop-up theatre on main stage).
4 December – Tang Hall Community Centre, 4.30 and 7pm.
5 December – New Earswick Folk Hall, 4.30 and 7pm.
8 December – The Reading Room, Dunnington, 7pm.
9 December – Wiggington Recreation Hall, 7pm.
10 December – St Barnabas Primary School, Holgate. Afternoon schools performance & public performance 6pm.
11 December – Clifton Church Hall, 4.30pm and 7pm.
12 December – Elvington Village Hall, Wheldrake, 4.30pm and 7pm.
13 December – The Poppleton Centre, 4.30 & 7pm.
15 December – Acomb Parish Hall, 7pm.
16 December – Carr Junior School: Afternoon school performance & public performance, 6pm.
18 December – Copmanthorpe Methodist Church Hall, 4.30pm and 7pm.
19 December – Clifton Green Primary School, 4.30pm and 7pm.
20 December – York Pavilion Hotel, 4.30pm and 7pm.
22 December – Heworth Christ Church, 4.30pm and 7pm.
23 December – Archbishop Holgate’s School, 4.30pm and 7pm.
Additional venues to be confirmed.
Tickets are £10 for adults and £5 for children with a maximum party size of six people in a household or support bubble.
Familiar faces
The cast of five includes several performers familiar to Theatre Royal audiences. Robin Simpson, playing Dame Dolly, was last seen there in Northern Broadsides’ Much Ado About Nothing.
There’s also York entertainer and magician Josh Benson, whose previous credits include the BBC Morecambe and Wise biopic Eric and Ernie; Anna Soden, who appeared in a Theatre Royal pantomime of Cinderella in 2006 at just ten years old; and Reuben Johnson, seen in the YTR production of Arthur Miller’s A View from the Bridge last year.
York Theatre Royal’s associate director Juliet Forster directs The Travelling Pantomime, with Paul Hendy as writer, Hannah Sibai as designer and Hayley Del Harrison as choreographer. Musical director is James Harrison.
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The Travelling Pantomime will tour every one of the 21 wards in York.
Theatre Royal executive director Tom Bird said: “We also plan to film and broadcast the show, so be assured, one way or another York Theatre Royal’s Travelling Pantomime will be coming to you.”
York Theatre Royal’s planned 2020/21 pantomime Cinderella has been postponed until next year.
For more information please visit the York Theatre Royal website.