Thanks to the generosity of Fairfield Halls’ 2024 pantogoers, up to 150 schoolchildren from Croydon will be eligible to enjoy funded tickets to see performances of the venue’s 2025/26 festive production – Beauty and the Beast.
The Fairfield Halls team collected more than £3,000 in audience donations during last year’s run of Snow White & the Seven Dwarfs. BH Live, a registered charity and social enterprise that operates the venue in partnership with Croydon Council, will pay for up to five pupil premium tickets within each school booking, a contribution worth up to £100*.
Beauty and the Beast will take center stage at the venue from December 2025 – 4 January 2026. Promising a spectacular show packed with great talent and incredible production, tickets are already on sale online with casting to be announced soon.
Sean Coogan, General Manager, Fairfield Halls said;
“The primary objective of raising these funds is to make the theatre accessible to children from low-income backgrounds. For many young people, pantomime is their first introduction to theatre. We’re incredibly pleased to be able to offer this initiative to local schools to help more schoolchildren access pantomime.”
Schools that have already booked for this year’s panto performances have received confirmation of their pupil premium support. All schools that make future bookings to attend Fairfield Halls’ pantomime performances will also be entitled to receive this generous contribution.
School performances for ‘Beauty and the Beast’ run over two days in December with shows Tuesday 16 December (10am and 1.30pm) and Wednesday 17 December (10am and 1.30pm) – there is currently limited availability for both morning performances.
Schools are encouraged to contact schools@bhlive.org.uk for more information on tickets, group bookings, and pupil premium funding.
* If 30 or more tickets are booked in a single transaction it is a £92.50 contribution, or if 10 or more tickets are booked in a single transaction it is a contribution of £87.50.
-ENDS-
For more information about BH Live please contact:
Daisy Saunders, PR & Communications Executive
E: press.office@bhlive.org.uk
About BH Live
Champions of community engagement, health and wellness across Dorset, Hampshire, and London
BH Live, a registered charity and social enterprise, is a leading operator of sports and leisure centres, theatres, and event venues. Our vision is to create sustainable and inspiring opportunities, deliver great experiences for our communities, and improve health and well-being.
With a strong commitment to accessibility and community engagement, BH Live continues to enhance the quality of people’s lives, health and wellbeing in the communities it serves.
BH Live was established in 2010. Local authority partners include BCP Council, Portsmouth City Council and Croydon Council.
We are at the heart of the UK’s growing social economy. Together with our partners we are helping to change lives and make a positive impact in the community.
For more visit bhlive.org.uk.
Get social with us:
LinkedIn – BH Live
Facebook – @SocialEnterpriseBHLive
Instagram @bhliveuk
BH Live is a leisure and cultural trust, established in 2010 as a ‘non profit distributing organisation’ (NPDO) for public benefit to promote participation in leisure and cultural events. BH Live is a Company Limited by Guarantee and Registered Charity. Charity No: 1138311. Company No: 07092112. VAT Reg No: 108 2248 37. BH Live (Enterprises) Ltd, is a Private Company Limited by Shares and a wholly owned subsidiary of BH Live. Company No: 07175626. VAT Reg No: 108 2248 37. Registered Office: Bournemouth International Centre, Exeter Road, Bournemouth, BH2 5BH. Registered in England and Wales.
About Fairfield Halls, Croydon
Fairfield Halls is managed BH Live, a registered charity and social enterprise, in partnership with Croydon Council.
With a long and distinguished history, Fairfield Halls sits in the heart of Croydon.
Spaces inside the venue include its 809-seat Ashcroft Theatre, the world-class 1,802-seat Concert Hall, and The Recreational a 750-capacity standing live music venue. Additional studio space is available in the adjoining Cube Studio. As well as the main auditoriums, there are additional spaces and rooms that regularly accommodate local business events, conferences, exhibitions, meetings, consumer-led events, and attractions such as family gatherings and celebrations.
Companies in residence at Fairfield Halls include Talawa, and London Mozart Players.
Following a major refurbishment in 2019, the venue’s opening seasons included an eclectic mix of theatre, music, comedy, performance, dance and family entertainment including an annual festive pantomime.
Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother opened the Fairfield Halls on Friday 2 November 1962. The inaugural concert in the Concert Hall was performed by the BBC Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Sir Malcolm Sargent, with renowned soloist Yehudi Menuhin also performing.
The Ashcroft Theatre was opened on 5 November by Croydon-born Dame Peggy Ashcroft, with the opening ceremony including a monologue by Sir John Betjeman called ‘Local Girl Made Good’. The first play performed was Royal Gambit, starring Dulcie Gray.
The Arnhem Foyer is named after Croydon’s twin-town of Arnhem in the Netherlands.
Buy tickets
- Buy tickets online at fairfield.co.uk
- Buy tickets by phone 0300 500 0595
- In person from box office at Fairfield Halls – see website for opening times.
For call charges, opening times and more visit fairfield.co.uk
Follow us on:
Facebook – @fairfieldcroydon
Instagram – @croydonfairfield