Blackpool's Grand Theatre to stage Covid-safe panto production featuring Steve Royle

Two months on from announcing the cancellation of Snow White and the Seven Dawarfs because of the pandemic, Grand officials today announced that the theatre will host a condensed and COVID-safe pantomime fundraiser called Pantomonium.

Britain's Got Talent finalist Steve Royle, long a popular annual star of the Grand panto, and Tom Lister, best known as TV Emmerdale's Carl King, will both feature and the show will run from December 18 to January 3.

Pantomonium has been specially written and is described as 'a one-act pantomime about pantomime'.

The production has been created by Jon Monie, winner of best script at The Great British Pantomime Awards 2019 for ‘Beauty & the Beast and is being staged with the support of producer Martin Dodd of UK Productions, who were to stage the Snow White show.

Martin said: "Blackpool Grand is very close to my heart, and this year would have been our 25th pantomime in this beautiful theatre.

"Our wardrobe department and costumes for all our productions are still housed in Blackpool.

"Unfortunately, we had to postpone our usual major production as the costs and limitations just wouldn’t work based on Covid-safe admission numbers.

"However, after long discussions and the generous support of Steve Royle, Tom Lister and many of our regular suppliers we’ve created a show, a fantastic show, that’s all about panto!

"Full of all the great panto elements - comic, dame, prince and princess (a girl from the village in this case!), and the usual mayhem Steve creates (safely distanced, of course!), we just can’t wait to get started.

"I am thrilled that we can bring Steve and Tom back together following their hilarious antics in last year’s hit Peter Pan.

"All profits will go to Blackpool Grand, and we hope with the support of our great audience we create a total sell-out.”

Actor, comic, and presenter Steve Royle, who features in the Britain's Got Talent final on ITV on Saturday evening, said: "It was understandable but heart-breaking getting the call saying Pantomime was postponed.

"I just simply couldn’t let it go, I’d promised Martin and Ruth (Eastwood, the Grand's chief executive) I’d do anything to make it work.

"We kept talking and we all agreed our love for Blackpool’s Grand just made us want to find a way to help secure the theatre’s future and save panto and Christmas at the same time, so a fundraiser of a shorter, more Covid-safe version was considered and we are all working hard to make it work along with the kindness and support of others.

"I cannot wait to be back on that stage, every performance is going to be so special…oh and very, very, funny!"

Ruth Eastwood, chief executive at the Grand, added: "I’ll tell you, there’s been many sleepless nights! First having to close and then to cancel pantomime – the one show that we know means so much to local families – it’s been devastating.

"But the wonderful support we have received has been really heart-warming and spurred us on to try and salvage Christmas.

"After days and nights of conversations about how we could make a production work, I am delighted to say with the support of Martin at UK Productions, Steve Royle and Tom Lister we are able to offer this unique seasonal experience and help raise funds the theatre desperately needs.

"I guarantee this production will be from the heart, every single person involved just wants to get back on our beautiful stage and entertain. It has been an incredibly emotional time.

"This will be a unique production, the only show of 2020 following our closure in March. All socially distanced seats will be the same price and, limited numbers available for each performance, you’ll need to book yours fast."

Tom Lister said: "‘Having performed at Blackpool Grand many times it’s a favourite of mine.

"I was keen to help them last year with their 125th anniversary and it’s hard to believe only months later the building was forced to close its doors. Martin contacted me and I agreed we had to do something.

"It’s going to be a fantastic production and we all know the quality UK Productions are known for at Blackpool Grand. There is going to be a few less people on stage and a few less of you, so bring your enthusiasm in spades, you’re in for a great time.

" We can’t wait to see you all."

There will be three performances a day - 11am, 3pm, and 7pm, running for approximately 1hr 15mins with no interval. All seats will be £25.50 per person and only available in set bubbles of two, three, four or six.

General sales open, online only, tonight from 7:30pm at www.blackpoolgrand.co.uk, with phone sales on 01253 290190 from Monday at 10am.