Theatres welcome record-breaking panto audiences

Pantomime season is alive and kicking - with record audiences attending this year

Theatres across the East of England have celebrated record-breaking audience numbers at their pantomimes... Oh yes they have!

The Mercury Theatre, in Colchester, saw more than 39,000 tickets sold over the festive season with The New Adventures of Peter Pan becoming its highest-grossing production.

Success was also recorded in Buckinghamshire and Suffolk, with audiences in Lowestoft hailing Beauty and the Beast the "funniest" panto they had seen.

Hailing the significance of the quintessentially British show, Mercury Theatre dame and director, Antony Stuart-Hicks, said: "It really does keep our doors open."

Success across the region came despite cost of living pressures, with many theatres saying audiences had returned in numbers not seen since before the pandemic.

Aylesbury's Waterside Theatre welcomed more than 50,000 audience members this festive season

The Mercury Theatre spent £750,000 on its production of Peter Pan, which is due to run until 19 January after an additional week was added.

Mr Stuart-Hicks said income from the shows was vital for funding the rest of the Mercury's work that year.

"It is essential we get that formula right at Christmas," he added.

Elsewhere in Essex, Chelmsford Theatre also marked a bumper year with its Snow White panto.

Director Rhys Thomas said almost 28,000 people came to watch, adding: "It's been the most successful and well-attended panto ever for us, so we're absolutely delighted."

'Massive achievement'

Success was seen at venues in Suffolk, including at Theatre Royal in Bury St Edmunds and the Marina Theatre in Lowestoft.

The Theatre Royal wowed crowds with its production of Aladdin, selling 26,000 tickets.

Where else but on a pantomime stage would you see celebrities performing a slapstick fairytale and an actor dressed in a cow costume?

Artistic director Owen Calvert-Lyons said: "Pantomime is having a real resurgence, which is great news for theatres up and down the country that rely so heavily on pantomime income.

"That income will enable us to run a year-round programme of theatre, dance and comedy, as well as the funds to work with 85 schools and 10,000 local people."

Meanwhile, Marina manager Sam Vallerius said their Beauty and the Beast show had also been a triumph.

"Considering we are currently undergoing a redevelopment, our season was a massive achievement," she said.

"Customers reported that this was the funniest panto they have ever seen."

Jane Riley, Ipswich Borough Council's portfolio holder for culture and customers, said: "We're thrilled to celebrate another record-breaking year for our Christmas pantomime, Jack and the Beanstalk, with over 20,000 tickets sold.

"Cinderella has been announced as our Christmas 2025 pantomime which we are incredibly excited for as it will be our first show following the redevelopment of the Ipswich Regent Theatre."

Aylesbury Waterside Theatre, in Buckinghamshire, saw more than 50,000 audience members come through its doors over the festive season.

Hundreds of families also benefited from its Magic Tickets scheme, which allowed people to purchase a discounted ticket on behalf of those who may not have otherwise been able to afford it.