We all know that pantomime is a staple of many people's Christmas.

But actually, it is not until you sit down and look at the wider impact the panto has in the community that you realise the ripple effects of the panto are much larger and reach much further than just those who come and see the show. 

At this time of year, it is these community impacts, whether it is the panto going green or us venturing out and about, that give me some of the most joy and fill me with the spirit of Christmas. 

Panto is many people's first introduction to the theatre, hopefully igniting a lifelong love of live performance. We cannot know the true effects into the future of this creative experience at this moment, but we are committed to everyone having that opportunity. The theatre industry relies upon it.

It is very important to us to provide inclusive performances where everyone can come and enjoy the same theatre experiences as everyone else. This Christmas, Norwich Theatre is offering a variety of accessible performances, including British Sign Language, Captioned, and Audio Described, and one of my favourite performances of the entire panto run is the Relaxed Performance. 

Relaxed and pantomime might not be two words you would see together, but this quieter performance is for anyone who may find it difficult to attend a standard show of Sleeping Beauty, The Fairy's Tale. The seating is more spaced out with fewer audience members, the auditorium lighting is not switched off completely, and there will be reduced special effects.

There is also no need to worry about making noise or moving around. And trust me, you will still have all the panto fun you could want, and the atmosphere is one of the best. It is an absolute joy seeing families for whom the traditional theatre conventions are a major barrier to enjoying a show in our auditorium.

One thing we are conscious of (and of having a lower impact on) is the environment. This year I am proud to say it is the greenest panto to date. The team has carefully produced the show to make sure that we are doing everything we can to keep the fun sustainable, both on the stage and behind the scenes. 

We've thought through every part of the show. For those avid panto-goers, you'll know we get through tons of sparkles, but we have used only biodegradable glitter this year so we sparkle sustainably. Our smoke machines are now water-based, replacing previous technology which used large amounts of CO2.

Many of the costumes you see on stage have been recycled or upcycled from our costume store, and for the junior cast, 80% is second-hand. Any fabric scraps are given to creatives in Norwich, ranging from schools to one couple who is using it to create bunting for their wedding! 

At Norwich Theatre, we are passionate about our role in the community as a hub to bring people together but also going beyond our buildings and sharing moments together. This is why it is really special to see how the Norwich and Norfolk community embraces the panto cast, welcoming them into their Christmas family from the moment they are with us. In return, the cast love to go out into the community to meet people and spread the joy of the season. 

This week alone, Beverley Callard, the Evil Fairy, flanked by two ensemble members, visited St John's House care home in Norwich.

St John’s House has recently been awarded National Care Home of the Year 2023. Beverley set aside her Evil Fairy status just this once to chat to residents and, alongside Grace Melville and Nathan Rigg from the ensemble, even sang a few festive favourites. 

The celebration of the panto, community and the season of goodwill continues tomorrow, [Friday December 22], with the cast performing readings and singing Christmas songs and carols at our annual public Pantomime Carol Service at St Peter Mancroft Church in Norwich. 

This is one of my favourite moments in the panto run, seeing everyone come together and celebrate Christmas with the local community.

This is a tradition the Norwich Theatre family doesn't miss, and it reminds me of how immersed the panto becomes in the local community, and the ripple effects the panto truly has. 

Merry Christmas, everyone!