Pantomimes to be Staged thanks to the UK Lotto

The ongoing pandemic has caused major problems for the theatre world, especially in the United Kingdom. It looked as if there wouldn’t be any major pantomimes being staged this year. The UK Lotto have come to the rescue though with vital funding.

Every year, thousands of theatregoers, many of them UK Lotto players, attend pantomimes such as ‘Cinderella,’ ‘Dick Whittington,’ ‘Aladdin’ and ‘Sleeping Beauty.’ It’s the final one of those shows that has given its name to a scheme aimed at rescuing the pantomime season.

Operation Sleeping Beauty

‘Operation Sleeping Beauty’ is how Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden has dubbed this scheme. The only way theatres can re-open is by playing to socially distanced audiences. That makes it difficult for shows to be staged and make a profit. Now the National Lottery will buy the seats that would otherwise remain empty thanks to funds from UK Lotto players.

Already announced has been ‘Pantoland at the London Palladium.’ This will run from 12 December to 3 January at the world-famous theatre. Stars such as Julian Clary, Gary Wilmot and Nigel Havers will make their return.

Playing UK Lotto games won’t just help the shows be held. There will be over 20,000 free tickets to win. You could even watch the show from one of the famous boxes in the London Palladium.

It’s Just not Christmas without a Panto

It’s hoped that the help from the UK Lotto will allow other pantomimes to be held around the country. They are working alongside top pantomime producer Qdos to ensure as many shows as possible can brighten up a possibly bleak Christmas.

The move follows a recent demonstration in London by Panto Dames. Michael Harrison, the director and producer of the Palladium show described the scheme as “a sticking plaster on a very big theatrical wound.”  The theatres do still face major problems but at least these money-spinning shows will be held at some venues around the UK.

"Christmas 2020 needs a pantomime, and this one... has never meant so much to our industry," said Palladium owner Andrew Lloyd Webber.

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