Mirror, mirror on the wall… What’s the greatest panto of them all? Snow White & the Seven Dwarfs at Fairfield Halls of course…
A trip to the panto can bring a touch of holiday magic and be a true festive highlight. However, for some—especially those visiting the theatre for the first time—the experience can feel just as daunting as it is thrilling.
Registered charity BH Live runs Fairfield Halls in Croydon, and is working closely with leading panto producers, UK Productions to make a panto visit more accessible for all.
This year, the captioned performance will take place on Friday 7 December at 7pm. Dialogue is displayed on a screen throughout. This performance may benefit those who are deaf, deafened, or hard of hearing. A captioned performance may also be of benefit to those who are neurodivergent, have auditory processing conditions, or if their first language is not English.
In addition to the caption performance, there will be a relaxed performance of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs at Fairfield Halls, Croydon taking place on Friday 3 January at 2pm.
The performance has been adapted to welcome people of all ages. This includes people who may have sensitivity to loud noise, sudden movement, and bright lights. It may also suit people with learning difficulties, sensory communication disorders or who are neurodivergent.
This toned-down performance provides just as much magic as the regular ones. Sound levels are lower, whilst house lights remain up. Guests will be able to move around the auditorium, and there will be a ‘Wicked Queen’ relaxed space for audience members who need peace and quiet at any time during the performance. To find out more about the relaxed performance, you may watch this short video.
On behalf of the venue, Steve Turner, Associate Director for BH Live said;
“We believe that everyone should have the opportunity to experience the magic of pantomime. We want everyone to experience the excitement of panto, which for many is their first introduction to the theatre. We are delighted to have worked with UK Productions to bring back our relaxed and captioned performances to enable more people to enjoy this festive tradition.”
Martin Dodd Managing Director, UKP added;
“With a few minor adjustments, our relaxed performance is far more accessible to an audience that may have otherwise overlooked a chance to go to the theatre. We are thrilled to work with BH Live again to deliver these relaxed and captioned performances.”
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs will run at Fairfield Halls from 30 November to 5 January, with a press performance on Sunday 15 December at 3.30pm. As previously announced, EastEnders, Biff and Chip, and Casualty star Kellie Shirley will star as ‘Wicked Queen’. Jamie Steen as ‘Dame Dilly Donut’, Mia Overfield as ‘Snow White’, Charlie Guest as ‘Muddles’, and Callum Connolly as ‘The Prince’.
The creative team will include Sarah Redmond, who returns to direct at Fairfield Halls, following Aladdin in 2023 and Peter Pan in 2022, with Anthony Whiteman as choreographer and Bobby Goulder as musical director.
Fairfield Halls is managed by registered charity and social enterprise BH Live.
Visit fairfield.co.uk for ticket information and group bookings.
-ENDS-
Notes to Editors:
For more information about BH Live please contact:
Daisy Saunders, PR & Communications Executive
E: press.office@bhlive.org.uk
For further information about SNOW WHITE & THE SEVEN DWARFS, press tickets, and interviews please contact:
Arabella Neville-Rolfe for ANRPR on 07815 025364, arabella@anrpr.co.uk
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.
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
ABOUT UK PRODUCTIONS
UK Productions was formed in 1995 to produce musicals, plays, and pantomimes, for which they are now one of the country’s most prolific producers. They have produced shows all over the world and in the West End and on Broadway, with one of their most recent hit productions The Kite Runner playing to packed houses across both the UK and Ireland, and North America at the same time during 2024.
The 2024/25 season will see them producing eleven pantomimes from Bournemouth in the south to Sunderland in the Northeast and all points in between. They have their own production facilities and will also supply sets, costumes, and props to over forty productions during this period for other producers and theatres.
For more information visit ukproductions.co.uk
Facebook UK Productions Ltd
X @UKP_Ltd
Instagram @ukp_ltd