Panto and comedians all set to make a big return to Portsmouth theatres as lockdown is eased
PANTOMIMES will be making a return to a city theatre after it was given the go-ahead to re-open next month by the prime minister.
Bosses at the Kings Theatre, in Albert Road, Southsea, have insisted they are ‘ready to go’ and have vowed to host a festive bonanza this year.
Paul Woolf, chief executive of the Southsea venue, said his team was hard at work trying to pull in shows for punters to bring some lighthearted relief to the city after the misery of lockdown.
Mr Woolf said: ‘Pompey needs a panto and I'm thrilled to pieces to say we can put one on. We have been planning that for a long time. We’re good to go on that. We’re all set. It’s great.’
As well as the panto, Mr Woolf said he aimed to book a raft of top comedians for events throughout the autumn.
The Kings will also continue with its Film+ season, set to take place between September and October.
It will feature movies with a theatrical twist, including Swan Lake, The Red Shows and Kinky Boots.
Leading industry figures like actress Bonnie Langford, Jeremy Mitchell who directed Kinky Boots, and Swan Lake choreographer Sir Matthew Bourne will also give talks either in the theatre or over video link.
‘We will do our level best to deliver programmes through The Kings and we will talk to everyone we know to see what shows they do have and whether we can bring them in,’ added Mr Woolf.
‘We will certainly bring more comedy to The Kings between now and Christmas because that’s easier to organise. You’re talking about a comedian or two or three – not a set and cast.’