Fairfield Halls is celebrating a record-breaking start to the festive season as school bookings for this year’s pantomime, Cinderella, reach unprecedented levels.
All front-row stalls for the dedicated school performances have already sold out, with teachers and pupils eager to return for another year of Christmas magic.
With the introduction of an extra school performance, taking the total to five dedicated school shows, demand has soared even higher, confirming Cinderella as one of the venue’s most anticipated pantomimes to date.
Ms. Petra Wigzell, Headteacher at Winterbourne Nursery and Infant School shared their excitement:
“We all had an amazing time last year; it was great fun for all of us. We wanted to make sure we booked the best seats for Cinderella and with payment in September it’s great to know we’ve got the Christmas treat sorted for our children!”
As part of its ongoing commitment to supporting local communities, BH Live, the charity that operates Fairfield Halls, is once again offering to cover up to ten pupil premium tickets per school booking, a saving of up to £175, when booked and paid for by 30 September 2026.*
Steve Turner, BH Live’s Director of Venues, said:
“Thanks to the generosity of last year’s panto goers, we can again offer to cover a number of pupil premium tickets. This year, however, we’re especially delighted to extend this to up to ten tickets per school booking. For schools that might otherwise struggle to bring their pupils, we hope this brings a little extra festive joy!”
Produced by leading pantomime producers UK Productions, Cinderella promises spectacular magic, sparkling sets, laugh-out-loud comedy, and a heartwarming adventure suitable for all ages. School performances will take place on:
- Friday 11 December – 10:30am
- Tuesday 15 December – 10:00am & 1:30pm
- Wednesday 16 December – 10:00am & 1:30pm
Early bird tickets are £19.50 when booked and paid for by the end of September (plus a £3 admin fee per booking).
Nicola Coney, Events Manager at BH Live, added:
“It’s wonderful to be working with UK Productions to bring the magic of panto to the schoolchildren of Croydon. Aladdin was a hit last year, and we know audiences will fall in love with the glamour and enchantment of Cinderella too!”
With dazzling production values and festive fun guaranteed from start to finish, Cinderella at Fairfield Halls is set to be the must-see school trip of the Christmas season.
Cinderella runs from Friday 11 December until Sunday 3 January 2027 with a captioned performance Monday 21 December and relaxed performance Wednesday 30 December. Group rates are available for a number of specific performances and discounts now start when six or more people book (6+). For school and young person’s rates please email schools@bhlive.org.uk for all other group rate enquiries please email groups@bhlive.org.uk
*Please note this is just the ticket price and does not include the cost of interval ice creams. Each booking will also incur a £3 booking fee.
-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. Driven by a mission to improve communities BH Live is dedicated to providing inclusive cultural experiences and promoting physical activity for all.
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
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 by 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, SAVVY Theatre Company, 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
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