PANTOMIME returns to Barnard Castle’s art centre not once but twice this year.
Along with the traditional Christmas panto, there will be Halloween Spooktacular for the half-term.
Both are produced by Tom Rolfe Productions, which presented The Witham’s first ever pantomime last year.
Jane Woodward, from The Witham, said: “The same company did Sleeping Beauty last year. It was very popular and we are hoping it will be even bigger and better this year.”
It will be a return to the venue for three of the cast from last year with Nik Grundison as Fairy Peasblossom, Phil Hoyles as Dame Trot, and Linda Newport, who also directs the show, as Fairy Fleshcreep.
Making her Barnard Castle debut is Eleanor Alderson as Princess Jill. Mr Rolfe said it is great to return to the venue. He added: “It is so nice to use the original music hall stage and hark back to that music hall atmosphere.
“It is such a nice intimate crowd and it is like we are one big Christmas family for everyone from two year olds to 102-year-old grannies.”
This year’s panto was launched last week with a selection of children from Green Lane Primary School getting a sneak peek of what is instore.
Dame Trot and her cow Daisy had them in hysterics, while they danced along to Princess Jill’s singing and giving a proper boo to the evil Fairy Fleshcreep. Each child also received their own pea and planting pot, followed by Fairy Peasblossom casting a magic spell over them to help them grow.
Peter Dixon, of Funny Way To Be Comedy, who attended last year’s performance as well as last week’s launch event, said: “If you are in striking distance of Teesdale, whether you can take along a little one or not, I’d highly recommend you go along to see it”
There will be two daily performances from Thursday, December 15, until Saturday, December 24, with the exception of Monday, December 19.
Ms Woodward said: “On that day we will have a Santamime where every child gets a gift.”
The Nice List – A Magical Family Santamime tells the story of how things go wrong in Santa’s workshop when Grudge the Grouchy Gnome steals the nice list
Ahead of the Christmas performances, Tom Rolfe Productions will be bringing its Halloween Spooktacular – A Fangtastic Family Panto to The Witham on Friday, October 28, at 1pm.
Ms Woodward said: “That is sold out so there will be an extra performance at 10am.”
The show features Tom Rolfe as Tommy the Ghostbuster, Nik Grundison as Belladonna, Stee Leahy as Tilly and Mervyn Francis as Drools the Butler.
Tickets for Jack and the Beanstalk, Santamime and Halloween Spooktacular are available from thewitham-
org.uk or from The Witham box office.
