Children across Croydon were recently encouraged to discover the joy of reading in their local library thanks to the magic of panto.
Dame Dilly Donut (Croydon local, Jamie Steen) and the Wicked Queen (Kellie Shirley – Eastenders, Biff & Chip, Casualty) from Fairfield Halls’ annual production of SNOW WHITE & THE SEVEN DWARFS delivered free reading sessions to more than 75 children at Croydon Central Library.
As well as enjoying a fairytale story, library visitors received the opportunity to participate in a Q&A and meet and greet session to find out more about the importance of panto.
This year’s performances, staged by leading musical theatre and panto producer UK Productions, are set to be the greatest of them all. Poor Snow White is doomed to live unhappily ever after with her horrid stepmother, the Wicked Queen. In true rags-to-riches style, Snow White manages, with the help of her madcap friend Muddles, to meet a handsome Prince and make her dreams come true.
Croydon’s own Kellie Shirley (EastEnders, Biff & Chip, Casualty) will star as ‘Wicked Queen’ with panto favourites Jamie Steen as ‘Dame Dilly Donut’, Charlie Guest returning to Fairfield Halls as ‘Muddles’, Mia Overfield (David Walliams’ Demon Dentist UK tour) as ‘Snow White’ and Callum Connelly as ‘Prince Percy’.
With a beautiful princess, a jealous Wicked Queen, seven bumbling dwarfs, a naughty nurse, a hilarious jester and not forgetting a poisoned apple and a magic mirror, it’s not to be missed!
A captioned performance (Friday 27 December 2024) and a relaxed performance (Friday 3 January 2025) will also return to Fairfield Halls’ stage this year. Relaxed performances are adapted to welcome people of all ages. These include people who may have sensitivities to loud noise, sudden movement, and bright lights. The performances may also suit people with learning difficulties, sensory communication disorders or who are neurodivergent.
Fairfield Halls is operated and managed by BH Live in partnership with Croydon Council. On behalf of BH Live, Steve Turner, Director of Venues shared;
“Panto is such a magical way to introduce theatre to young people – I am delighted to see that it can also inspire more children to visit their local library as well! Dame Dilly Donut and the Wicked Queen had a fantastic time visiting Croydon Central Library.
“It was a great opportunity for our cast to meet local people, and to encourage young people to understand the cultural importance of panto. I want to offer a big ‘thank you’ to the library team and to all the visitors who made this year’s reading sessions such a big success.”
Martin Dodd, Show Producer for UK Productions, said;
“It was great to see such an enthusiastic turnout for our reading session at the Central Library. Encouraging children of all ages not just to enjoy the magic of live theatre, but also the thrill of reading, is a real privilege and a delight.
“We look forward to welcoming everyone from Croydon and surrounding areas to this year’s spectacular production of Snow White & the Seven Dwarfs.”
Jason Perry, Executive Mayor of Croydon, said:
“We welcome all art in the borough – this theatrical production of Snow White will have something for everyone to enjoy after the Croydon Central Library readings. Next month, at our landmark venue Fairfield Halls, this evergreen classic and Christmas treat will be delivered right on our doorstep. It’s great that there will be both a captioned and relaxed performance to ensure everyone is welcome.”
For more information, ticketing, and what’s on, visit fairfield.co.uk. Group performances and concessions are also available.
-ENDS-
Notes to Editors:
Performances of SNOW WHITE & THE SEVEN DWARFS will take place at Fairfield Halls from Friday 13 December 2024 – Sunday 5 January 2025.
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, X – @BHLIVE_UK | 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 John Whitgift Community Cube which is also home to a vibrant café open daily serving food and drink. 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.
The venue is also home to a well-attended Yamaha Music School providing a comprehensive learning programme including keyboard, guitar, singing and drums to hundreds of local people aged two years and upwards.
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
X – @Fairfield_Halls