A Peterborough theatre is determined to bring you the fun of panto against all the odds.
After creating the area’s only socially distanced pantomime The Cresset had staged a series of successful performances but Peterborough entering Tier 3 has sadly meant the live shows must end.
Not to be beaten they’ve now come up with another great idea and are offering a digital stream of their pantomime Jack and the Beanstalk, so you can still enjoy the magic of panto from the comfort of your own home!
The show was recorded in all its glory in front of a live audience on their opening night and now for just £15 (the price of one ticket!) you and your family can sit back and enjoy the show anywhere from now until December 30.
It’s the same great cast, same show, same festive fun – just on the small screen and you can buy your digital tickets from today.
ESP’s Darren Grigas was fortunate enough to catch a live performance and said – “The show was a lot of fun, some great sing-along moments, a strong cast doing a cracking job all whilst remaining socially distanced on stage at the same time.
“It must have taken some work to hold back on the usual interactions performers are used to, but they gave us a fun-packed show nonetheless. Dame Trott was a particularly funny highlight with some brilliant outfits!”
It had all taken an immense amount of hard work to bring us a pantomime at all this year so all credit to the team who’ve really done their best to keep the Christmas spirit alive and hope we’ll continue to support them.
The new Tier 3 restrictions introduced for Peterborough mean that their last live show, which was meant to be Christmas Eve, will now be at 6pm on Friday December 18, after which the theatre will close for live performance until government restrictions are lifted.
Head of Cresset Commercial Activity, Penny Hansen said:
“This announcement is simply devastating for everyone involved in this year’s pantomime. Our cast, crew and team of staff have all worked incredibly hard to put together a fabulous production that is safe and COVID-secure for audiences and performers alike, and feedback has been wonderful since we opened on Saturday. To only get to complete half of our run is just horribly sad for us all.
“Customers have loved the show and been telling us how safe they feel in the venue, and we’d like to thank everyone who has supported us as we’ve persevered to bring live theatre back to Peterborough, it’s been a joy. We’re just sorry for our audiences who now won’t be able to visit for their Christmas treat, it’s heart-breaking.”
Customers with tickets to any of the remaining pantomime performances will automatically be receiving a full refund, and The Cresset have asked for patience as they begin the process of contacting everyone.
A full events list including rescheduled dates can be viewed at www.cresset.co.uk
The box office is open for reduced hours at present – call 01733 265705 or email boxoffice@cresset.co.uk.