A trip to the panto is a magical experience and festive season highlight. But for some people, including those venturing to the theatre for the first time, the prospect of doing something different can be as equally overwhelming, as it is exciting.

Registered charity BH Live runs Bournemouth Pavilion theatre in partnership with BCP Council and is working closely with leading panto producers, UK Productions to make a panto visit more accessible for all.

A relaxed performance of Jack and the Beanstalk will run at Bournemouth Pavilion on Tuesday 17 December 2024 at 10:30am, and a captioned performance will take place on Sunday 29 December 2024 at 1pm.

These performances are adapted for people of all ages. At a relaxed performance the sound levels will be lowered, the house lights will be on but dimmed, stage smoke will be reduced, and everyone can come and go as they please throughout the show. Relaxed performances may suit people with learning difficulties, sensory communication disorders or who are neurodivergent. These also include people who may have sensitivities to loud noise, sudden movement, and bright lights.

The captioned performance may benefit those who are deaf, deafened, or hard of hearing. They may also be of benefit to those who are neurodivergent, have auditory processing conditions, or if their first language is not English.

From the Coronation Street cobbles to the sands of Bournemouth, soap star Calum Lill will star the villainous Fleshcreep, packed with a side order of dastardly deeds and mischief. Best known for his role as the Corrie bad boy Joel Deering, Calum has also been in Hollyoaks, Holby City, and Doctors.

Best known for presenting Milkshake! on Channel 5, panto favourite, David Ribi, bounds back to the Bournemouth Pavilion this festive season to take on the role of Jack.

Bournemouth’s favourite comic Noel Brodie returns as Silly Simon for his tenth year of pantomime in Bournemouth, bringing huge laughs and lots of mayhem as he tries to help his brother Jack on his quest to save the Princess.

They are joined by West End stars Oliver Brooks as Dame Trott (Heathers, Matilda), Rachel Grundy as Princess Jill (Legally Blonde, The Rocky Horror Show), Ceris Hine as The Vegetable Fairy (last seen in Bournemouth in Sister Act – The Musical) and Chris Fearn as the King (Honk!).

With sparkling sets, lavish costumes, amazing song and dance numbers, giggles galore and bags of audience participation, this year’s performances, produced by UK Productions, are set to be fee-fi-fabulous.

Steve Turner, Director of Venues for BH Live, said: “We believe that everyone should have the opportunity to experience the magic of pantomime. We want everyone to experience the excitement of panto, which for many is their first introduction to the theatre. We are delighted to have worked with UK Productions to bring back our relaxed and captioned performances to enable more people to enjoy this festive tradition.”

Martin Dodd, Managing Director for UK Productions, shared: “With a few minor adjustments, our relaxed performance is far more accessible to an audience that may have otherwise overlooked a chance to go to the theatre. We are thrilled to work with BH Live again to deliver these relaxed and captioned performances.”

Jack and the Beanstalk, a UK Productions Ltd production, will run at Bournemouth Pavilion from Saturday 7 December 2024 – Sunday 5 January 2025. Tickets and more information are available here.