Peterborough’s Cresset Theatre is spreading its good fortune in the latest round of government grants to help a local theatre company stage two shows at the venue in the next few weeks.
Peterborough Operatic and Dramatic Society (PODS) will return to The Cresset this autumn with two socially distanced shows, The Vicar of Dibley and Unmasked.
The shows have been made possible thanks to the funding received by The Cresset as part of the government’s £1.57bn rescue package for the arts. The venue received over £240,000 from the fund.
Penny Hansen, Head of Commercial Activities said – “We can’t wait to welcome PODS back to The Cresset. When we were putting together our bid for the grant it was important to us to include local performers and organisations to ensure the benefit of the funding was felt throughout the community, and so PODS were our first phone call. Thankfully they were as enthusiastic as we were, and we are all delighted that these shows will now be able to take place.”
First up is a reboot of their critically-acclaimed production of The Vicar of Dibley, running from November 19 to 21. The light-hearted relief we need right now is finally here as the arrival of a new vicar in the sleepy English village of Dibley is sure to shake things up!
Based on the much-loved BBC sitcom and featuring everyone’s favourite eccentric cast of characters including fun-loving vicar Geraldine Granger, star-crossed lovers Alice and Hugo, colonically-challenged farmer Owen, pompous chairman David Horton (and will Jim Trott be there? …no, no, no, no, no…YES!) – this fantastically funny, socially-distanced stage show is the perfect pick-me-up for 2020.
Kicking off the festive season then, PODS do what they do best with Unmasked 2020 – a concert full of all your favourite songs from the shows on December 5.
This incredible production includes the classic hits from Mamma Mia, Les Misérables, Chicago, RENT, Hairspray, Elf, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and many more. There’s also an extra special festival finale to really get you in the Christmas spirit this holiday season.
PODS Chairman, Rob Bristow said – “PODS production of The Vicar of Dibley garnered a host of rave reviews 2 years ago when it played to packed houses. We’re so thrilled and excited to be able to bring this show back to the Peterborough stage in this special format, and bring some much-needed joy and laughter to our audiences.”
PODS have put on several fantastic productions at The Cresset – including the sell-out Hairspray (2016), 9 To 5 (2017) and the NODA award-winning Chitty Chitty Bang Bang last October – ESP went to see both productions and they were fantastic so it’s great to have them back on stage at The Cresset with these specially prepared performances.
Vicar of Dibley runs from Thursday December 19 to Saturday December 21 at 7.30pm plus a 2.30pm matinee on Saturday. Tickets are priced at £16.50.
Unmasked 2020 is on Saturday December 5 at 4pm and 8pm, all tickets are £16.50.
Tables for 1-6 people are available to book at www.cresset.co.uk or by contacting the Box Office on 01733 265705.