Temporary theatre at former Leicester bus station to stage Christmas panto - oh yes it is!
A special mobile auditorium is being set up to stage the city's first Christmas panto in almost 20 years.
Leicester company National Theatre Tents will be putting up a temporary theatre on the former Southgates bus station site, in the city centre, to stage a production of Jack and the Beanstalk.
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Panto producer Thomas Moore outside the former Southgates bus station site, where the show will be staged
The pavilion theatre, which can hold 550 people, can be built in just two days.
Bosses are hoping about 20,000 people will see the show over the festive period.
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Show producer and senior tent master Thomas Moore is billing it as "the most exciting pantomime Leicester has ever seen".
He said: "For the first time in 18 years, a fabulous, full-scale pantomime is returning to the city. We're not filling the stage with Z-list soap stars. Instead, we've cast some of the finest West End dancers, plus some of the most talented performers and musicians from around the world.
"The show has a confirmed and prominent site at a prime city centre location and we are excited to be able to welcome about 20,000 visitors to share in this magical Christmas adventure.
"The show we're putting on was staged in the Barbican in London four or five years ago, and in Bury St Edmunds."
The firm, which has previously worked with the Royal Shakespeare Company and National Theatre, as well as stars including Eddie Izzard and Paloma Faith, is hoping to cast one of the nine main characters locally.
Mr Moore said: "We're still finalising contracts with a number of principal performers and we're going to be casting in the second week of November.
"Panto traditionally has a very short rehearsal period."
The last pantomime to be staged in the city was Cinderella, with EastEnders star Steve McFadden, at De Montfort Hall in 1994.
The venue announced last month that it would be bringing the traditional Christmas pantomime back in 2013.
Mr Moore said: "Our main operating base is in Beatrice Road, in Leicester, and we decided there was a gap in the market because a panto hasn't been staged in Leicester for such a long time. It was crying out for us to do it.
"We're also mindful that Christmas can be an expensive time of year and, as such, tickets start from a wallet-friendly £7.50."
Jack and the Beanstalk will run from December 14 to January 6. For tickets, visit:
www.leicesterpanto.com
What’s on: Line-up of Leicestershire’s
festive shows
Hello Dolly! Curve, Rutland Street, city centre, November 30 to January 12
Grease: De Montfort Hall, Granville Road, Leicester, December 11 to 30
Robin Hood and the Babies in the Wood: The Little Theatre, Dover Street, city centre, 14 to January 5
Peter Pan: Peepul Centre, Orchardson Avenue, Belgrave, Leicester, December 10 to December 23
A Christmas Carol, the New Musical: Concordia Theatre, Stockwell Head, Hinckley, December 18 to 22
A Christmas Carol: Harborough Theatre, Church Street, Market Harborough, December 11 to 15, Plus, A Christmas Carol Concert, December 19 Only
Dick Whittington: Loughborough Town Hall, Market Place, Loughborough, November 24 to January 6
Aladdin: Melton Theatre, Asfordby Road, Melton, December 1 to 8
Brooksby Melton College Presents... Cinderella: @Melton Theatre, Asfordby Road, Melton, December 13 and 14.
Dick Whittington: Century Theatre, Ashby Road, Coalville, December 6 to 8.
Comments
by CTPAYER
Friday, October 19 2012, 7:59PM
“I agree with the post below.
It is shocking that the Little Theatre has been ignored.
Well done Leicester Mercury. Ignore one of the few good things about this city.”
by robth
Friday, October 19 2012, 2:26PM
“Oh No Its Not! The Little Theatre has done a traditional panto every year since the year dot (with the odd children's play every few years instead I admit). Doesn't anyone check the facts when such articles are published?!?!
This year we are doing Robin Hood and the Babes in the Wood from December 14 the to 5th January. We still have some seats to sell but they are going fast.”
by f007e
Friday, October 19 2012, 11:46AM
“Graham_LE8, when I was a kid we were taken to the pantomine by bus. Believe it or not for hundreds of years children and adults have attended performances on the stage long before the car was invented.”
by City_C10
Friday, October 19 2012, 11:29AM
“I guess it i snice to see an old bus station being used for a short period of time. I wish them luck, and find this to be a good use of time and space. Support them, go watch a show?”
by MacMonkey74
Friday, October 19 2012, 11:15AM
“Parking problems? Seriously?
I was under the impression that this site was in the city or have I got that wrong?
Anyway, totally agree with the comments about public transport whenever we go to the fireworks at Abbey Park the bus is the most convenient way if getting in and out and a bus trip is always fun for the kids (younger ones obviously).”
by Lordpostie
Friday, October 19 2012, 11:00AM
“Surely the haymarket theatre couldn't have fallen into such disrepair that it couldn't be used”
by roundthehorne
Friday, October 19 2012, 10:57AM
“@Graham_LE8
Believe it or not, lots of families use public transport all the time.
But of course, most small children who have just experienced the excitement of a panto like nothing more than to be strapped into the back of a car and then sit in a queue to get out of a car park.”
by Graham_LE8
Friday, October 19 2012, 10:03AM
“550 people per performance, including presumably, mostly groups of children with an adult?...
It'll be interesting to see where they park in the locality, as I can't see many parents/guardians wanting to experience public transport with tired and excited children following a show, they'll just want to return to their car and leave.”
by roundthehorne
Friday, October 19 2012, 9:26AM
“I'm sure this will be great but it's a bit mean of the Merc not to at least acknowledge that The Little Theatre puts on a terrific panto every year,”