Christmas is back at Theatre Royal Plymouth
After the success of their Culture Recovery Fund application and a fantastic initiative from The National Lottery, Theatre Royal Plymouth has announced it is bringing Christmas back to the city with a full socially distanced theatre programme. The doors to TRP have sadly been closed to the public for the last seven months, the first time in its 37-year history, but preparations are now underway to bring theatrical festive cheer back to the city.
The Christmas programme at TRP will include a socially distanced pantomime produced, thanks to support from The National Lottery, with long standing TRP partners Qdos Entertainment. The all-new production, Robinson Crusoe will run for three weeks only from Saturday 12 December.
In the Drum, Stuff & Nonsense will present The Gingerbread Man for families and their little ones - the adventure of the deliciously smelling Gingerbread Man who finds his feet fast and sets off on the journey of a lifetime. Gonzo Moose will present The Thing That Came From Over There - inspired by the Horror movies of the 1950’s, a fast-paced rollicking ride, mixing paranoia, suspense and hilariously gruesome deaths - an alternative Christmas comedy.
Adrian Vinken, CEO at Theatre Royal Plymouth said: “This announcement marks an exciting and really important moment in the life of TRP and the city as we welcome back our audiences in a socially distanced and safe way, hopefully taking the first step on a cautious road to recovery.
Like so many others, our Theatre has been hit really hard over the last six months. However, thanks to our loyal supporters, this bold commitment from The National Lottery and our successful bid to the Culture Recovery Fund, we can now bounce back. We can once again afford to present pantomime and our usual full Christmas programme - with something for everyone on the stages of the Theatre Royal just in time for Christmas.”
TRP have been working hard to make the building safe to welcome audiences back to enjoy the magic of theatre. A number of changes and new safety measures have been put in place for the protection of performers, staff and audience members. These include reduced seating capacities, bookings restricted to household and support bubbles only up to a maximum of six people, digital e-tickets, temperature checks on arrival, social distancing on site, plenty of hand sanitising stations and enhanced cleansing of all public spaces, including use of electro-static disinfectant machines. The full Covid-Safe Environment measures at the Theatre can be found on their website.
This year’s pantomime, Robinson Crusoe, is able to go ahead thanks to the support of The National Lottery, which will give thousands of theatregoers, in Plymouth and across the country, the chance to enjoy socially distanced pantomime this Christmas. The show is being staged as a result of an initiative between The National Lottery and Qdos Entertainment which is providing financial support for ten selected theatres to stage socially distanced, live pantomimes this festive season. This will make it viable for venues, including TRP, to open their doors to the general public, generating vital income for the theatre and helping to restore jobs while providing much-needed cheer for pantomime lovers.
Tickets for this fantastic season will be on sale to the general public from Wednesday 18 November and available to purchase on the TRP website.
The Gingerbread Man – Stuff and Nonsense
Tuesday 08 December – Sunday 09 January. The Drum, Theatre Royal Plymouth
Imagine being born in an oven and the first person you meet wants to dunk you in his tea!
Come and see the adventure of the deliciously smelling Gingerbread Man who finds his feet fast and sets off on the journey of a lifetime!
Up and down and into town our Gingerbread Man must use his wits to escape anyone who finds him tasty. Is he faster than a Goose? Can he cross a river using a Fox as a raft? Are Gingerbread Men allowed on trains?
Come and join in his epic quest and meet the bravest biscuit of all times!
The Thing That Came From Over There - Gonzo Moose
Wednesday 09 – Wednesday 30 December
Inspired by the Horror movies of the 1950’s, ‘The Thing That Came From Over There’ is a fast-paced rollicking ride, mixing paranoia, suspense and hilariously gruesome deaths.
It’s 1912, and as Scott and Amundsen begin their race across Antarctica, the hapless explorer, Captain Reginald Cranston Scot-t-t, has accidentally landed on the wrong side of the continent.
As Cranston and his motley band set up base camp, a meteor crashes nearby. Deciding to investigate, they set out towards the crash site - unaware of the danger that awaits not just them, but the whole of planet Earth.
What ancient evil lurks inside the crater? What is the dark secret of the slimy fungus? And what is the horrifying fate of those who encounter the parasitic space worms?
Join three daring actors as they play over 15 roles in 85 minutes of shocks, spine tingling silliness, and blood curdling terror.
With comedy and thrills galore, the show features visual gags, verbal wit, giant puppetry, and even a little bit of live music.
Robinson Crusoe – Qdos Entertainment
Saturday 12 December – Sunday 03 January
This year’s production, created especially for Theatre Royal Plymouth in this unprecedented year, will be a riotously funny, one-act celebration of pantomime, packed full of comedy and laughter and allow audience members the opportunity to come safely together and enjoy the magic of the much-loved and unique art form this festive season.
This new production will be packed full of comedy routines, audience-safe participation and all the unmissable magic that Theatre Royal Plymouth audiences have come to expect from their annual festive pantomime.
