'Oh yes they did': Pantomime audience rises by 12%

The Royal & Derngate saw over 30,000 people watch Cinderella this year

A theatre reported an increase in audiences for its festive productions, with attendance rising by more than 12% compared to the previous year.

The Royal & Derngate, in Northampton, welcomed more than 32,000 people through its doors to see its pantomime Cinderella during the festive run for 2024.

The theatre also put on a separate Christmas show, The Jolly Christmas Postman, which was seen by over 13,000 audience members.

Jo Gordon, the chief executive at the Royal & Derngate said: "We had a really positive festive season both in terms of sales and audience reactions, and it was lovely to have our foyers fully reopened for this Christmas."

She added: "Sales for our 2025 pantomime Peter Pan have already made a very strong start, which is a great way to begin the new year!"

The theatre said next year's pantomime sales were already going strong