Theatrical hope for movie panto

Performers remain hopeful that their production of ‘Sleeping Beauty: The Pantomime Movie’ will be able to take to the Hyde Little Theatre stage when restrictions permit. 

With only four live performers, the production includes pre-filmed sets, action and characters on the big screen.

This unique twist on a classic tale still maintains a traditional pantomime story, following a boy and girl as they fall in love, before evil forces split them apart, only for the handsome prince to step in and save the day.

Jake Ridgway plays the bumbling and klutz-like Muddles. 

On his character, he told us: “He’s bit of a joker; he likes to have a bit of a laugh. He’s very silly and very enthusiastic.”

For Jake, the experience of filming parts of the play has been a new one.

“It’s really completely different compared to performing on stage. You start to understand how movie actors must feel. I found it difficult at the start, I just love performing on the stage, because it gives you that adrenaline rush that you work off and feed off, but when you’re in front of the camera, it’s thrilling.

“This year has been a year of disappointments and horrors, if you are looking for a bit of a pick-me-up and something that’ll give you a laugh and happiness, this show will definitely give you that.”

Every precaution has been taken to keep audience members safe, by only taking advanced bookings, the theatre minimises crowds. 

Once inside, a one-way route is marked, and masks are mandatory throughout. 

Between showings, the auditorium is cleaned and treated by a sanitising fogger.

Information about the show and booking tickets can be found at WWW.SPARKSEM.CO.UK with bookings available from Saturday, December 5, although this will be dependent on Covid restrictions. 

If restrictions do not allow the production to go ahead, it will be postponed again. All booked customers will be given the option to move to any new date or a full refund will be offered.