This year there will be a local professional pantomime in the heart of The Met Bury during the Christmas season.
The much loved pantomine Dick Whittington will be heading to The Met from Thursday 8 to Saturday 24 December 2022, on a mission to entertain all the family with its blend of glitz, glamour, silliness, slapstick and sing- along songs.
The production will be staged by local professional theatre company The Big Tiny, whose founders Will Cousins and Ben Richards have a reputation for creating top class family entertainment. In the 2022 UK Panto Awards, they were nominated for Best Panto (under 500 seats), and Ben Richards was nominated in the Best Director and Best Script categories.
Described as: “…a top-class piece of musical theatre peppered with all the elements of a traditional panto”, Dick Whittington is the purrrfect pantomime adventure that follows the eponymous hero to London Town where he seeks fame, fortune and happiness accompanied by his trusty cat. Alas, Queen Rat is there ready to thwart our happy-go-lucky hero’s ambitions. But will she succeed?
Every panto needs a fabulous Dame, appearing in Robin Hood and Sleeping Beauty. Robin has numerous theatre, TV, radio and film credits to his name and recently appeared in Priscilla Queen, of the Desert in London’s West End.
With spectacular sets, sensational costumes, a gorgeous pantomime dame, hit songs and a side-splitting script, Dick Whittington is a perennial favourite that is sure to be a big hit with The Met audiences.
As well as matinees and evening shows, there will be two special performances during the run if the pantomime run.
At 6.30pm on Thursday 15 there will be a pyjama performance, giving audiences the chance to kick back and relax in their PJs and onesies, while on Monday 19 December at 2:30pm there will be a relaxed performance aimed at pre-school children and anyone who would appreciate a more flexible, relaxed atmosphere in which to enjoy the show.
During the relaxed performance house lights will be turned up and doors left open so unsettled little ones can be taken in and out freely. Theatre doors will open 30 minutes before the show to allow time to get familiar with the stage and seating, and a touch tour will be available before the show begins.
David Agnew, The Met’s Artistic Director said, “We are thrilled to be working with Big Tiny on this show, which we know will delight audiences this December. Dick Whittington’s story of ambition, travel and taking risks is one with relevance for families today. We’re sure that Big Tiny will bring a local and modern twist to this brilliant traditional pantomime. It will be perfect Christmas treat for everyone.”
