Maureen Sullivan this week takes a look at December and the festive season ahead…
Welcome to the last theatre column of 2021 – where did the year go? As we prepare to celebrate Christmas and New Year, what better way to add to the festive cheer than to book tickets for a fun-filled, magical show? And there’s plenty to choose from…
Hot on the heels of their successful show Matilda, Theatretrain present Peter Pan, the Musical. If you want a Christmas that the kids are sure to remember, full of magic, excitement and fairy dust, join the cast as they journey with Wendy, Peter and, of course, Tinkerbell on an incredible magical adventure through NEVERLAND. Sing with the lost boys, dance with the Native Americans and support Peter as he battles his nemesis, the evil Hook!
This all-singing, all-dancing cast are sure to have the whole family laughing, crying and believing in fairies as they tell the story of J.M. Barrie’s Peter Pan. Shanklin Theatre hosts the show on 11th and 12th December at 14:30 and 19:00. Take the second star to the right and straight on ’til… you reach the booking office on 01983 868000 or book online at https://www.shanklintheatre.com/events/theatretrain_presents_peter_pan_the_muscical/details.aspx.
Meanwhile, CAODS are staging their Christmas pantomime, Dick Whittington, at Trinity Theatre in Cowes, on various dates from 3rd to 12th December. Hurry though – 1 performance has already sold out and tickets are selling fast for the others. With traditional characters including Idle Jack, along with Fairy Bowbells and Sarah the Cook, Dick Whittington promises to be a laugh – and a song and dance – a minute.
Book your tickets, including the option of special family prices, from the website at www.cards.org.uk or by calling 01983 295229 and celebrate the festive season in the traditional way.
The Apollo Youth Theatre are taking the stage for this year’s Christmas production, The Devil’s Mirror. Long ago a powerful magical mirror was created on the orders of the Devil himself to bring chaos to the world. But the mirror was smashed and the plans were foiled. In this enchanting fairytale, we follow the fortunes of a princess turned robber, a pair of young lovers, and the unfortunate demons charged with picking up the shattered pieces.
So come along to the Apollo Theatre on 17th/18th/19th December, where the Youth Theatre brings fun, excitement, magic and all-round family entertainment to this wintry story that is just perfect for Christmas. Get your tickets now from https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/apollotheatre/the-devils-mirror/e-dpbvdo or by calling 01983 210010.
It’s a tale as old as time. An arrogant prince is magically transformed into a monster and is told that he must find true love in order to become human again. Unfortunately, he hasn’t heard of match .com and instead kidnaps a girl from the local village. Will she be able to tame the beast? Will he be able to win her heart? Will we manage to shoehorn a scene where a couple of idiots get covered in gunge?
Come and find out by booking tickets to see Beauty and the Beast, staged by Spotlight IOW, and find out. They pride themselves on fast-paced shows with current songs and lots of laughter; Beauty and the Beast runs from 22nd December to 3rd January and tickets, including discounts for Friends of Shanklin Theatre and groups, are available at www.shanklintheatre.com or by calling the Box Office on 01983 868000.
That’s it for December – I’ll see you all in January with the best of the Island theatre shows to bring in the new year, but for now may I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and Happy, and Theatrical, New Year!
Maureen Sullivan is a regular contributor to Island Echo’s coverage of the Arts on the Isle of Wight. Maureen has been actively involved in the Island’s amateur dramatics scene for several years, appearing in many different roles and guises with several theatre companies. In her free time, Maureen also writes and reviews at iwtheatre.org.
Catch Maureen’s column each month for the latest theatre and art happenings...
One of the Island’s principal theatres left out of this item, and needs Islanders support as much as the others do.
Medina Theatre, owned by us as Council Tax payers as part of 1Leisure, is hosting Cinderalla from Thursday 23rd December. It continues through to Sunday 2nd January. Please support it as with other Island venues it has lost a great deal of income due to lockdowns, and being a community asset must not be lost.
You will need a Covid pass to get in. Hope you arrive vaccinated. Prepare for the thumbs down brigade.
At the time of writing, only a face covering to enter the theatre itself. The bar area is exempt. The theatre seats 425 people so falls outside the requirement of requiring a Covid Pass.