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Wakey Wakey! It’s Panto Time!
Get ready for an unforgettable festive pantomime adventure as Sleeping Beauty arrives at Salisbury Playhouse.
As Wiltshire Creative’s Artistic Director, Gareth Machin, explains, “Salisbury Playhouse’s annual pantomime has long been one of this historic city’s big cultural events, playing to audiences of around 25,000 people every year. It is a vital part of Wiltshire Creative’s programme, offering young audiences what is often their first experience of live theatre”. This year’s production of Sleeping Beauty will be no exception!
Plested, Brown and Wilsher, the trio of writers behind Dick Whittington (2023 - pictured) and Cinderella (2022), are returning this year, so be prepared for their side-splitting jokes, colourful characters and sparkling songs from artists like Wham! and Avicii, to name a few. Katie Lias has created some dazzling set and costume designs which truly bring the fictional county of Salisburyshire to life. While the team can’t give much away, expect bright colours, lots of sparkle, a few yards of thread, a sewing machine or two and, of course, a few references only a Salisbury local would know.
Award-winning Theatre Director, Ryan McBryde is at the production’s helm and says, “I’m really excited to be returning to Salisbury this year. There’s a wonderful sense of community spirit in Wiltshire and I’ve found that the audiences are always so up for it. It’s really moving to see the different generations connecting through joy, laughter, dance, and music.”
Following Dick Whittington’s 2024 UK Pantomime Association Award Nominations for Best Pantomime, Best Villain and Best Contribution to Music, Sleeping Beauty is set to be another world-class pantomime created in Salisbury.
Salisbury Playhouse remains one of only 40 producing theatres in the UK, and the only one in Wiltshire. Panto is very close to home for the Salisbury Playhouse team, literally! It’s only a few metres from the stage to their on-site workshop where the panto magic comes to life and their workshop team are already hard at work creating the dazzling set. Deputy Head of Workshop, Daniel Gent, explains while pantomimes are festive, they are year-long projects: “There is a break of a month in January where the workshop is completely panto-free, providing you ignore the glitter stuck to the workshop floor! Things carry on in the background throughout spring and then, as everyone is enjoying their summer holidays, we’re back in the workshop building the set ready for the festive season.” Director Ryan McBride has high praise for the theatre’s workshop, saying, “Salisbury’s production team are second to none, delivering props, set and costumes worthy of the West End. There are lots of big commercial pantomime companies out there but in my humble opinion they lack the heart and dedication of the Salisbury Playhouse team. Every year I’m in utter awe of the way they realise our vision for the show and bring our designs to life. Its witchcraft, I tell you! Pure magic.”
Embark on an unforgettable pantomime adventure as Princess Stella falls under the wicked curse of evil Fairy Badflix, doomed to sleep for a hundred years. Can her loyal friends and family break the spell? Will the forces of good triumph over evil? And is there a charming prince in Salisburyshire to save the day? Book your tickets to find out!
Sleeping Beauty takes to the Salisbury Playhouse stage from Saturday 30 November to Sunday 12 January. Book your tickets online at wiltshirecreative.co.uk or by phone on 01722 320 333.
For schools and youth groups, Wiltshire Creative has a special group rate, from £12 per ticket including staff. For more details, visit the website or contact Ticket Sales at ticketsales@wiltshirecreative.co.uk.
