Arts Centres in Grantham and Stamford are celebrating record-breaking pantomime audiences with thousands of visitors in attendance.
More than 11,000 tickets were sold for Beauty and the Beast at Grantham’s Guildhall Arts Centre, making it the venue’s highest-grossing pantomime of all time.
In Stamford, the first professional in-house pantomime, Mother Goose, saw an almost completely sold out run at the Stamford Arts Centre, with over 1,800 tickets sold.
The production was written by the Centre’s Venue Manager and professional pantomime director, Phil Norton.
Cllr Paul Stokes, Deputy Leader of South Kesteven District Council and Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure, said: “We’re delighted to have been able to welcome so many people into our Arts Centres to celebrate the festive season.
“Pantomimes are a much-loved tradition for many families and we’re proud to play a part in making these memories so magical.
“It is incredible to see such outstanding audience numbers and I hope that the visitors who have joined us over the festive season will return throughout the year to enjoy the fantastic programmes we have on offer.”
In Grantham, Beauty and the Beast was produced by professional pantomime touring company Polka Dot Pantomimes and marked 10 years of actor John Highton playing Grantham’s Pantomime Dame.
All 61 performances were entirely sold out, including school visits, relaxed and British Sign Language interpreted performances.
It was praised by audiences of all ages who enjoyed the scenery and costumes, special effects and even a canine cast member.
Stamford’s production of one of the oldest pantomime stories, Mother Goose, was a real home-grown effort with both a local cast, crew and theatre company, Starbright Entertainments.
The run of 12 shows included local nods and references to the town, as well as scenery designed by local artist Karen Neale.
Phil Norton, who wrote the adapted production and played the Pantomime Dame – Mother Goose, said: “The show brought together some incredibly talented individuals from across Stamford and gave us an opportunity to showcase a really unique production set in our beautiful town.
“It is clear that audiences are as excited about professional in-house pantomime returning to Stamford as we are, and we’re excited to look ahead to another busy year with a whole host of events and activities on offer.”
It wasn’t only Mother Goose that was popular at Stamford. A string of sold-out shows throughout December include Dicken’s Theatre Company’s A Christmas Carol and the Arts Centre’s resident amateur company, Stamford Shoestring Theatre, which sold out an entire run of Jack Absolute Flies Again.
The Albion Christmas Band sold out the venue for the second year running. As well as popular screenings of blockbuster films Wicked, Paddington in Peru, Conclave and Royal Opera House Screenings of Cinderella and The Nutcracker.
The 2025 pantomimes for both venues are expected to be announced soon with details being shared on Arts Centre websites and on social media.
For more information about upcoming performances and activities at the Arts Centres, visit the What’s On guides and spring 2025 brochures available at www.guildhallartscentre.com and www.stamfordartscentre.com.
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