THE show must go on…

This is the message from The Playhouse in Weston-super-Mare this month as they have decided Christmas without a pantomime just wouldn’t be the same.

And so, the show WILL go on with a production of Sleeping Beauty – but with social distancing measures in place.

“We believe that Christmas simply wouldn’t be Christmas without a Playhouse pantomime so we’re reinventing the spinning wheel and putting together a fantastic socially distanced pantomime of Sleeping Beauty,” said Mark Thompson, general manager of The Playhouse.

“Although it will be different than our previous productions to fit within the requirements of social distancing, we’re bringing back some of our best loved professional performers from previous pantomimes.

“They have all agreed to bubble together from two weeks prior to rehearsals, live together during the shows and give up their own Christmas with family and friends to ensure that they stay as a bubble and allow us to present this year’s festive show for the community.”

The social distancing measures will mean that there will be less than half the number of seats available at the theatre.

The tickets will be sold at a reduced price of £20, but The Playhouse are asking visitors to make an optional donation to Friends of The Playhouse.

“The year’s pantomime wouldn’t be possible without the continued support of the Friends of the Playhouse,” added Mr Thompson.

“They have agreed to financially assist the venue throughout this time whereby we were forced to close overnight.

“The last six months have been a very difficult period in our history and a continued battle to ensure that we protect our much-loved town’s home of live entertainment for future generations in an unprecedented national situation.

“The Friends of the Playhouse once again have stepped up to ensure that not only do we survive this period but that we can offer the community a much-needed Christmas extravaganza.”

Sleeping Beauty will replace the planned production of Jack and the Beanstalk which will be postponed until Christmas 2021.

The show will be produced by Mr Thompson and the management team at The Playhouse theatre and co-presented by Friends of The Playhouse.

Mike Goble who directed and starred in the Aladdin pantomime in 2017 and Snow White in 2018 returns to direct the pantomime.

Snow White’s much-loved dame, Richard Alan will return as well.

To find out more visit theplayhouse.co.uk