Pantos bring festive cheer to Surrey and Blackpool
Harriet Clifford
Monday, October 19, 2020
There’s hope yet for Christmas in Godalming and Blackpool, as theatres announce the line-ups for festive pantomimes this December. Guildford Fringe Theatre Company will present ‘Beauty and the Beast’ from 12 - 16 December at The Borough Hall, while Blackpool Grand Theatre brings ‘Pantomonium!’ to the stage from 18 December to 3 January.
Maria Sbytova
Both theatres will have strict social distancing measures in place, with reduced capacity, face coverings and group booking bubbles of no more than six people.
Beauty and the Beast stars Maria Coyne, Lily de-la-Hayne, Paule Kemble, Ben Redfern, Jordan Wheatstone, and Philip Day, all of whom have countless West End credits behind them. The play is directed by Jo Kirkland, choreographed by Charlotte Bateup and produced by Nick Wyschna and Charlotte Bateup.
Pantomonium!, a condensed, one-act pantomime about pantomime, is created by Jon Monie, produced by Martin Dodd of UK Productions and stars Steve Royle and Tom Lister.
Producer of Beauty and the Beast Nick Wyschna said, ‘To say I am thrilled with the cast for Beauty and the Beast would be a huge understatement! Not only are we putting on Surrey’s only family pantomime, we also have a phenomenal cast, direct from London’s West End to perform it. I am very pleased to say that the show is selling incredibly well already.
‘I am getting the feeling that people are pleased for something “normal” to look forward to this Christmas and I am over the moon to be able to offer that. Although normal isn’t the word I would use to describe our show, it is going to be exceptional! I really hope you can join us for some Christmas magic this December.’
Pantomonium! producer Martin Dodd said, ‘Blackpool Grand is very close to my heart, and this year would have been our 25th pantomime in this beautiful theatre. Unfortunately, we had to postpone our usual major production as the costs and limitations just wouldn’t work based on COVID safe admission numbers.
‘However, after long discussions and the generous support of Steve Royle, Tom Lister and many of our regular suppliers we’ve created a show, a fantastic show, that’s all about panto! All profits will go to Blackpool Grand, and we hope with the support of our great audience we create a total sell-out.’
Beauty and the Beast
12 - 26 December
1hr 15 mins running time (no interval)
£22 (£20 concessions)
Godalming Borough Hall
Book: www.godalmingpanto.com or 01483 361101
Pantomonium!
18 December - 3 January, 11am, 3pm, 7pm
1hr 15 mins (no interval)
£25.50
Blackpool Grand Theatre
Book: www.blackpoolgrand.co.uk/event/pantomonium-2020