Why Panto is Important

By 6 November 2016Uncategorised

​It’s a matter of weeks before we start rehearsals for our 2016 pantomime, and Middle Child HQ is buzzing. This will be our fifth consecutive year performing at Fruit over the Christmas holiday and we cannot wait to get started!

Pantomime is often a person’s first introduction to the world of theatre and so we place huge importance on the production of these shows. Theatre arouses curiosity, sparks the imagination and helps us understand the world around us; our Artistic Director Paul Smith even wrote his university dissertation on pantomime, so he understands better than most the importance it serves as the gateway to the theatrical world.

​​2016 marks the beginning of a new cycle for our pantomime: we say goodbye to playwright Dave Windass, who has done a wonderful job writing the shows for the last four years (thanks Dave!), and welcome our friend Tom Wells to the panto party. His version of Dick Whittington will be kicking us off this year, and we know our loyal audiences are going to love it.This year, we’re doing more than ever before to help those around us; we’ve set up a crowdfunding campaign, and if successful we will be giving away 200 free tickets to community groups and families who could not afford to come otherwise. We’ve worked on similar initiatives previously, giving free tickets to the Salvation Army and Goodwin Development Trust’s Health & Wellbeing Centre. This year, we hope to do much more. Donate if you can by clicking here.

During the shows themselves we’ll also be running a collection, the proceeds of which will be split between The Warren & Hull Help for Refugees. The Warren is an independent charity in Hull, providing vital support services to marginalised and vulnerable young people in Hull. Hull Help For Refugees is a grassroots collective who wish to aid refugees in the current humanitarian crisis and provide support for other destitute people. Both groups are truly inspirational, turning people’s lives around both in and outside of Hull. We are delighted to help in whatever small way we can.As usual, we’ll be performing both our family-friendly pantomime and an adult version. The show kicks off the on the 17th December and runs until the 29th. Tickets are on sale now, and with many shows selling out in 2015 we reckon you should probably get your tickets soon! You can buy them in advance here.

With love, as always,
Middle Child Theatre

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  • alison thomson says:

    Absolutely fab came to watch you guys today we have seen other pantie this year but you are by far the best well done and well deffo see you next year