Tickets are selling fast for the latest Middle Child panto, which opens at Social on Thursday 21 December, with a story chosen by last year’s audience.
Red Riding Hood sees the eponymous hero and her granny, Pattie Breadcake, take on the villainous Baroness Scrimp, who threatens their bakery with the Wolf of Walton Street.
All performances before Christmas have now sold out and shows from 27-30 December are following suit.
Writer and director, Paul Smith, said: “Panto is so often the first experience that people have of theatre and can inspire a love of the stage that lasts a lifetime.
“While our Christmas show may lack the big budget, special effects and celebrity casting typical of bigger venues, we more than make up for it with heart and Hull wit.
“That’s why we see so many people take a punt on the Middle Child panto, then return year-after-year, and we’re immensely proud of how much Hull folk love our daft little show.”
A host of local performers will bring the story to life, with Marc Graham as loudmouth dame, Pattie Breadcake, and Sarah Penney as Red Riding Hood.
Alice Beaumont plays Baroness Scrimp and Beats Bus’ Kobby Taylor her partisan newshound, Rupert Scaremonger.
Jack Chamberlain is Colonel Blowhard, a legendary hunter on the trail of the Wolf of Walton Street and Josie Morley the friendly woodcutter, Jack Lumber.
Andy Ross plays the clown as Reluctant Stage Manager and Natalie Walker makes her debut as musical director Piano Natalie.
Audiences can expect live music, quickfire comedy and the chance to make as much noise as they possibly can.
Panto-goers are also invited to vote for Middle Child’s 2024 Christmas show, from a shortlist of Cinderella, Jack and the Beanstalk, Treasure Island and Dick Whittington.
“Seeing our audience choose next year’s title and having mega-talented Hull theatre makers then stage it makes our people’s panto all the more special,” added Paul Smith.
“We can’t wait to share our latest edition with faces new and old and trust this year’s audience will go down as the loudest in panto history.”
Red Riding Hood includes 12 family performances alongside six late-night shows, for not-so-grown-ups to leave the kids at home.
Red Riding Hood also features integrated audio description, performed by Kobby Taylor, and three BSL-interpreted shows on 23 December.
Tickets are available through the Middle Child website, starting at £13.50 for children and going up to £19.50 for standard tickets.
Visit middlechildtheatre.co.uk/red-riding-hood for more details and to book tickets.
Red Riding Hood
Written and directed by Paul Smith
Chosen by You
Venue: Social, 63 Humber Street, Hull
Dates: 21-24; 27-30 Dec
Times: Various
Tickets: Children £13.50; Concessions £16.50; Standard £19.50 (no booking fee)
middlechildtheatre.co.uk/red-riding-hood
Cast
Alice Beaumont – Baroness Scrimp
Jack Chamberlain – Colonel Blowhard
Marc Graham – Pattie Breadcake
Josie Morley – Jack Lumber
Sarah Penney – Red Riding Hood
Andy Ross – Reluctant Stage Manager
Oliver Strong – Understudy
Kobby Taylor – Rupert Scaremonger
Natalie Walker – Piano Natalie
Production and Creative Team
Writer and director – Paul Smith
Dramaturg – Matthew May
Designer – Natalie Young
Lighting designer – Matt Pilsworth with Adam Foley
Musical director – Natalie Walker
Choreographer – Jon Beney
Deputy stage manager – Jay Hirst
Stage manager – Andy Ross
Stage manager – Anja Bryan-Smith
Costume maker – Katie Lee Price
Sound engineer – Tom Smith