At a time when theatres across the country have been forced to postpone their pantomimes, the National Theatre has announced it will be staging a production of Dick Whittington.
Marking only the second time the historic venue has staged a Christmas panto, The National Theatre promised the production will celebrate and honour panto’s place at the heart of British theatre.
This wild and inventive production will explore what it is like to come from a small town and arrive in a big city today, exploring the ideas of community and togetherness which feel even more relevant in 2020.
The production will make the most of the newly transformed Olivier theatre, which is currently undergoing a significant remodel to stage a season of performances in-the-round. To allow for social distancing, the venue will be limiting capacity to just under 500.
Rufus Norris, Director of the National Theatre said: “We’re both delighted and relieved to be reopening the National Theatre with the Olivier in-the-round season, which will allow us to present live work to as many people as possible while social distancing remains in place.”
Discussing the National Theatre’s decision to stage a production of Dick Whittington this Christmas, he added: “Pantomime is an essential part of the living fabric of our nation, and it is devastating that so many theatres across the country have had no choice but to postpone their pantos this year because of the unprecedented financial impact of Coronavirus. We’ll do all we can to keep the flame alive: brilliant theatre artists will serve up a slice of joy to families on the South Bank, and we’ll be asking everyone to support their local theatres by booking ahead for their 2021 pantomimes. Of course, we hope that it will be possible for theatres to perform safely to fuller audiences long before then.”
Tickets for the National Theatre’s production of Dick Whittington will be going on sale in October, for more information and to book tickets visit https://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/
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