Peter Pan – The Return of Captain Hook
at Fairfield Halls, Croydon
Photograph by Elliott Franks
Thousands of local families and school children across Bournemouth and Croydon have been enjoying the magic of festive pantomime with two smashing productions at much-loved regional theatres; Bournemouth Pavilion and Croydon’s Fairfield Halls.
This year leading producers UK Productions, together with registered charity BH Live, present Peter Pan at Fairfield Halls and Beauty & the Beast at Bournemouth Pavilion.
Star-studded cast members include Ricky Champ (Eastenders), Gemma Hunt (CBeebies Swashbuckle), Mark Rhodes (CBBC and Crackerjack) and David Ribi (Channel 5’s Milkshake) in Croydon and Emma Barton (Eastenders), Jamie Steen and Noel Brodie in Bournemouth.
By the time both shows finish, nearly 40,000 people of all ages will have seen the shows – made up of families, friends, schools and community groups – all enjoying a slice of everyone’s favourite festive theatre tradition.
Bournemouth Pavilion is operated by BH Live in partnership with BCP Council. Fairfield Halls is managed in partnership with Croydon Council.
On behalf of BH Live, Steve Turner said;
“While we are now well into the throes of this year’s panto season, a lot of the hard work for panto takes place long before the curtain rises on the cast. We start promoting a year in advance to get things off the ground. Behind the scenes a small team is already planning next year’s event, putting the show on sale, contacting our regular group bookers, marketing and advertising, staging, casting and planning. The finished, polished show we see today is a testament to the work that everyone does the year before. It’s a well-rehearsed operation done by people who are passionate about culture and our industry – and we love working with panto pros UK Productions to bring the best shows and cast to town.”
Martin Dodd from UK Productions adds,
“It’s always pantomime season for us. It’s a joy to be working with the BH Live team once more. With great shows and casting at both venues, and the involvement of local talent, it makes all the hard work worthwhile, especially when you get fantastic audience feedback. There is an element of Christmas magic when it comes to panto productions, and we can’t wait to be back next year with Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs at the Bournemouth Pavilion and Aladdin at Fairfield Halls.”
With plenty of first-class local, regional, and national coverage, including Theatre Monkey, BBC Radio Sussex, Inside Croydon, London News Online, Wave105, Heart FM, Hot Radio, Lymington Times & New Milton Advertiser and The Echo, reviews and reporting have been both fantastically positive and influential.
“Catch up with the antics of Peter, Hook and Tinkerbell in Neverland. Expect fearsome flying effects, an acrobatic pirate crew and a ferocious crocodile, as they bring some good old-fashioned fun to the festive season.” (London News Online)
“Starring EastEnders stalwart Emma Barton (who played Honey Mitchell) as the hilarious TikTok Fairy Bon Bon, the show was an absolute delight from start to finish with an array of topical references and opportunities for audience participation…With lots of opportunities for audience participation, including a lively dance routine that got the whole Pavilion on its feet, the panto definitely offers something for everyone.” (New Milton Times & Lymington Advertiser)
Tickets for both of this year’s productions are still available with group discounts in place for certain performances.
Tickets for 2023’s performances of ‘Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs’ and ‘Aladdin’ are now on sale. For more details and more information visit fairfieldhalls.co.uk and bournemouthpavilion.co.uk
-ENDS-
Notes to editors
About BH Live
BH Live is a leading operator of leisure and event venues; a registered charity and social enterprise that designs and builds engaging experiences to inspire people and enrich lives.
Our social objectives are to:
- Encourage more people to take part in physical activity– by providing leisure facilities to encourage active communities and improve health and wellbeing.
- Attract bigger entertainment audiences– with a diverse range of cultural and artistic events that appeal to a wide variety of tastes.
- Deliver economic benefit– by hosting major conferences, exhibitions and events that benefit the local, regional and international economy.
With more than five million visits a year we are changing lives and are at the heart of the UK’s growing social economy.
For more visit bhlive.org.uk.
Get social with us:
LinkedIn and Twitter @BHLIVE_UK
Facebook @SocialEnterpriseBHLive
About Bournemouth Pavilion
Bournemouth Pavilion is operated by BH Live in partnership with BCP Council.
This Grade II listed venue opened in March 1929. It has a 1,500-seat theatre and a full-sized ballroom. The venue hosts musicals, opera, ballet, pantomime, comedy, gala dinners, banquets, receptions, fairs, dances and fashion shows throughout the year. Its facilities complement events at Bournemouth International Centre and for corporate presentations, product launches, and smaller conferences and exhibitions. Bournemouth Pavilion is also home to Pavilion Dance South West and the Pavilion at AUB rehearsal and teaching space for the Arts University Bournemouth.
For more visit bournemouthpavilion.co.uk.
Get social with us: Twitter @BHLIVE_UK and @bhlivetickets Facebook: @BournemouthPavilion
About Fairfield Halls, Croydon
Fairfield Halls is operated by BH Live in partnership with Croydon Council.
It hosts a year-round diverse programme of events including concerts, cultural events, classical performances, music, dance, comedy, theatre productions, community events, conferences and exhibitions, meetings and banquets.
Spaces include the 809-seat Ashcroft Theatre, the world-class 1,802-seat Concert Hall famed for its acoustics, The Recreational (a 750-capacity standing live music venue) and John Whitgift Community Cube.
With a long and distinguished history, Fairfield Halls is at the heart of Croydon’s community.
Talawa, the UK’s primary Black-led touring theatre company, the award-winning and inclusive Savvy Theatre Company, and London Mozart Players are companies in residence. Chineke! Orchestra and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO) are orchestras in partnership. Educational and learning programmes are delivered in the venue’s Yamaha Music School.
Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother opened 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 1962 by Croydon-born Dame Peggy Ashcroft. For more visit fairfield.co.uk.
Get social with us:
Facebook @fairfieldcroydon
Twitter @fairfieldhalls