Despite current restrictions, Nottingham Playhouse are determined not to let Coronavirus ruin Christmas…
Nottingham Playhouse have announced that this year, Cinderella will indeed go to the ball with a special, COVID-friendly reimagining of the classic panto by Adam Penford, the Playhouse’s own Artistic Director. Due to restrictions, the planned production of Beauty and the Beast has been pushed back to December 2021 (don’t worry ticket holders – you’ll be notified by email!), and it’s been full-steam ahead to create a show that everyone can enjoy – that’s by audiences both in-house and at home.
Sponsored by Nottingham City Transport, the cast will be led by Nottingham Playhouse panto favourite John Elkington as Ugly Sister Kourtney, who shall be joined by Forever Young’s Tim Frater as Buttons, Max Runham from Watermill Theatre’s adaptation of Macbeth as the Prince, and Notts-own Sara Poyzer (Assasins, Mamma Mia) as the Fairy Godmother. And the starring role? That goes to Gabrielle Brooks (the Young Vic’s Twelfth Night).
With the promise to be filled with classic panto humour, upbeat musical numbers and the much-loved characters, this production will be adapted to ensure all the fun and magic in safe and comfortable surroundings. There will be a reduced capacity in the auditorium with seating arrangements to ensure social distancing, and audience members over the age of eleven will be expected to wear a face covering at all times during the performance – unless you’re enjoying the drinks, ice creams and snacks that will be available to order via an online app. There will be no interval either, with the show lasting approximately 75 minutes.
Acknowledging that not everyone will be able to get to see the panto live this year, Nottingham Playhouse will be offering the fun up online too, with the choice of live-streamed performances or an on-demand version to purchase.
Adam Penford, Artistic Director of Nottingham Playhouse says: “Christmas in Nottingham just wouldn't be the same without a Playhouse panto, it's a major part of the cultural calendar. So this year we will be mounting a special version of the most popular panto title in the land, Cinderella. Whilst there will be necessary changes to bring it to the stage and ensure safety is paramount, it will still contain all the fun, magic and festive cheer of the classic Playhouse panto, which audiences know and love.”
If you’re worried about committing your hard-earned money in a time where restrictions are changing every five minutes, the Playhouse have you covered. They’ll be offering a money back guarantee – if Government social distancing guidance changes closer to the time of the panto performances and they are unable to proceed, then ticket holders will be offered a full refund.
Looks like Christmas might be saved after all, ey?
Cinderella will be at Nottingham Playhouse from Friday 27 November - Saturday 16 January 2021
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