Mayflower Theatre in Southampton to put on Christmas panto starring Joe Pasquale and Lesley Joseph
THE show will go on this Christmas for one theatre thanks to support from the National Lottery.
Mayflower Theatre in Southampton will be putting on socially-distanced pantomime production of Sleeping Beauty in December starring comedian Joe Pasquale, Birds of a Feather star Lesley Joseph and iconic female impersonator Ceri Dupree.
The National Lottery is providing financial support for theatres to put on pantomimes during the festive period and it means the one-act production can go ahead at the venue in Southampton, which was forced to cancel its Cinderella Christmas pantomime earlier this year. It will now take place in 2021.
Michael Ockwell, Mayflower Theatre Chief Executive said: ‘I am delighted that during these challenging times, we are able to bring much needed uplifting entertainment to Southampton with Sleeping Beauty.
‘Thanks to our producers, Qdos Entertainment and The National Lottery, our audiences will be able to enjoy a safe socially distanced pantomime for the whole family this year.
‘Audiences can look forward to something very special for the festive season. Christmas is ON in Southampton!’
Comedian and actor Joe Pasquale will lead the cast in the role of Princess Beauty’s best friend, Muddles while Lesley Joseph will have the crowd booing and hissing in her role as the evil Carabosse.
The National Lottery is also giving out 20,000 free tickets to pantomimes across the country as a thank you to players.
It comes after the theatre also got a £3 million grant from the Culture Recovery Fund.
The show will play from Saturday December 19 for a limited two week run.
Tickets for Sleeping Beauty go on sale on Thursday from 10am from mayflower.org.uk or 02380 711811.