READ ALL ABOUT IT! TE FESTIVE NEWS
BROMLEY TEAM SPREAD CHRISTMAS CHEER
The Churchill Theatre was part of Bromley’s incredible Christmas Lights Switch On again this year. The event was bigger and better than ever with the entire high street end-to-end full of excited people! We had plenty of entertainment including three panto stars from this year’s Beauty & The Beast – Su Pollard, Jamie Leahey and Chuck The Chicken! To top it all off there was a firework display as the lights went on which were set off from the roof of the theatre. It was a really magical evening, and the crowds lapped up all the Christmas cheer.
In other Bromley news, the Churchill Theatre opened their ninth Studio Christmas show on 6 December with a sold out weekend! Robin Hood and the Christmas Cracker is the latest professional co-production to to be developed by the theatre’s Creative Learning department, and it’s their most ambitious one to date. Together with co-producing partner, Story Makers Theatre, the team have created an immersive enchanted woodland romp, including all the favourite characters including the Merry Men, Prince John, the Sherriff, and of course the heroes Robin Hood and Maid Marian. The show runs until 21 December with an impressive 93% capacity over the run.
WINTER FEST CELEBRATIONS IN SWINDON
On 22 November, the Wyvern Theatre team took part in Swindon’s very first Winter Fest in the town centre, where families could get hands-on with Sleeping Beauty-themed crafts inspired by this year’s panto, alongside a host of other free creative activities throughout the day.
The event also marked the launch of Muddle’s Gingerbread Trail which runs until 20 December. Visitors can follow the map and find all the mischievous panto-themed gingerbread folk hiding in shop windows around the town centre! We even managed to squeeze in during rehearsals to take the lovely Ben Goffe who plays Muddles around the trail and to find his favourite gingerbread.
The following day saw the return of Swindon’s annual Old Town Light Switch-On event. The team had a busy day handing out stickers, flags, crowns and leaflets before being joined by our Princess Beauty (Abbie Budden), who switched on the Christmas lights alongside the Mayoress, local councillors and the event’s headliner, local singer-songwriter Josh Kumra. The event attracted an estimated 9,000 people throughout the afternoon and evening, with plenty of people embracing the festive spirit and the panto crowns!
CHRISTMAS LIGHTS IN FAREHAM
Despite the rain, festive spirits shone brightly at Fareham’s Christmas Lights Switch-On. Crowds gathered as stars of Fareham Live’s Beauty and the Beast pantomime spread seasonal cheer, delighting families and joining the countdown. People also had the chance to get photos with the stars of the show, which included Tyger Drew Honey from BBC’s Outnumbered, adding to the excitement. The moment was made even more special by a flurry of ‘snow’, a lovely touch that helped create a magical atmosphere as the lights were switched on, illuminating Fareham and officially welcoming the Christmas season.
FAWLTY TOWERS AT G LIVE
There’s no panto at G Live (boooooo!), but there is the equally excellent Fawlty Towers! Press Night was a great success, welcoming both press and Trafalgar guests. Everyone enjoyed drinks and nibbles before the show and during the interval, including mini-Christmas puds on our newly refurbished Mezzanine. The atmosphere was warm and lively, and we received fantastic feedback on both the performance and the overall evening.
TRAFALGAR CHRISTMAS PARTIES
Thank you to everyone that came along to the Woking Office Christmas Party! The teams enjoyed roulette and blackjack with professional croupiers, karaoke and a photobooth.
A special congratulations to our Casino Champion, Adam Spiniello from Trafalgar Education, who turned his fake $200 into an incredible $960 and walked away with a luxury hamper!
It’s always lovely getting the Trafalgar Education and finance teams from across the divisions together to celebrate the festive season.
And yesterday, the Venues Central Christmas party took place at London’s Boulebar on the South Bank, where competition was fierce as colleagues took to the gravel for a game of pétanque.
STAGECOACH STUDENTS MAKE BID FOR XMAS NO.1!
Step aside Mariah and Wham! There’s a new contender in (tinsel) town as students from Stagecoach Performing Arts join forces with Surrey band Lucky Skies to launch a bid for the Christmas Number One! 6,534 Stagecoach students took part in the project with vocals recorded in situ in Stagecoach schools across England, Scotland, Wales, Germany, Malta, and Canada.
Lucky Skies feat. Stagecoach ‘When You Know It’s Christmas’ is available to download or stream now.
And watch the music video below!
