Monday 16th December – Sunday 29th December, 10.15am and 1.15pm
Relaxed performance at 10.15am, Friday 20th December
BSL interpreted performance at 1.15pm, Friday 20th December
Audio-described performance at 10.15am, Saturday 21st December
Red is off to take cakes and sweets to her ill Grandma who lives far, far away in the enchanted woods. On the way she meets a stranger who is very interested in Grandma and all may not be quite as it seems…
Expect things to get a bit wild as All-In Productions and Norfolk’s newest performing arts venue The Workshop in King’s Lynn give Little Red Riding Hood the My First Panto treatment this Christmas.
An informal, family friendly experience, in a relaxed setting, it’s perfect for your little ones to get involved in all the fun of the theatre for the first time and be part of the story.
Sat close to the action, babies can be fed, you can come and go as you like and make as much noise as you want. The only sound not allowed is shushing.
Musical director Rob Gathercole, who’s also playing Old Mother Hood and the Wolf, said: “There’s lots of joining in for all the little ones who’ll help us tell the story. The audience will be all around the stage and it’s a brilliant way to keep the whole family entertained without the pressure of a more traditional theatre outing. There’s some fabulous live music played by our very talented cast, including my personal favourite the sweetie song; and like the other My First shows there are some great little twists we’re giving the story and the characters – so expect the unexpected.”
My First audiences will recognise Rob from the panto Jack and The Beansprout, which ran at The Workshop’s sister venue The Garage in Norwich. He was also in My First Circus: The Littlest Mermaid which ran at The Garage and at this summer’s big circus weekend in The Walks in King’s Lynn.
“I’m very much looking forward to performing in this new venue and getting to wear a big pretty dress – I haven’t been a dame since I did pantomimes with my old youth theatre group. Audiences will have a great time.”
Jennifer Hague is making her theatrical debut as Little Red Riding Hood. Performing for youngsters holds no fear for the early years learning specialist, who teaches singing, acting and dancing in schools across south west London and runs family music classes and toddler dance and singing classes.
She said: “I spend every day surrounded by babies and children. I’m looking forward to finding new ideas and new ways of interacting with that age group and can’t wait for the show to open.”
Playing Red’s sister Violet and their Granny is Lara Lewis. She said: “There’s a lot of quick changes for me, which is fun. I’m really looking forward to the immersive side of it, there’s lots for children to get involved with which is really exciting and I’m sure there’ll be more added as we go along.”
Running time: 50-60 minutes Tickets: £12.50 adults / £7.50 children / under 1s go free
To Book: visit www.theworkshop.org.uk, call The Workshop on 01553 277919 or email info@theworkshop.org.uk
What audiences have said about previous shows:
“What a wonderful panto production just for toddlers. Bravo!” Sascha Williams, ITV News, on My First Panto: Jack and The Beansprout
“It was so lovely to see children do what children do without anyone batting an eyelid – shout out, dance at will, join in, not join in – the show is theirs” Norwich Mumbler on My First Circus: The Littlest Mermaid
“This is an absolutely magical way to introduce children to theatre… It took only minutes after we left The Garage for Erin to ask if we could go back and see something else there again soon. Me, Him, The Dog and a Baby on My First Play: A Midsummer Night’s Nap