IT is surely too early to be buying tickets for next year’s panto. Oh no it isn’t.
As soon as this year’s production of Beauty and the Beast got under way on Saturday at the Oxford Playhouse, tickets went on sale for next year.
The theatre announced Aladdin would be coming to Oxford in 12 months’ time.
Erin MacDonald, marketing manager at the Oxford Playhouse, said: “People do buy their tickets a year in advance.
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“They do it because nights like Christmas Eve and Boxing Day sell out quickly and they like to get their Christmas tradition sorted early.
“We do it every year. We like to let our audience members pick up their tickets for next year as they leave the panto.”
The company said during last year’s run of Robin Hood more than 2,000 panto fans had already scooped up their tickets for Beauty and the Beast.
The cast of Beauty and the Beast.
Nicola Keown, 49, from Jericho, has been going to the pantomime in Oxford for more than 30 years.
She said: “It’s fantastic, it’s a lovely family tradition. I went when I was young and I took my two boys when they were young.
“Since they’ve grown up, I now take my nieces every year. I’m going again this year on the 22nd and of course I’m looking forward to it.
“It’s a great afternoon out. There’s a really nice Christmas atmosphere and it’s good for adults too.”
Youngsters and their parents braved the mayhem inside the Oxford Playhouse on Saturday before enjoying the first instalment of pantomime mischief, written and directed by former Blue Peter star Peter Duncan.
Sheila Partlett went along with grandson Benjamin Partlett, four, and son Robert Partlett, 28. The 57-year-old from Bicester said: “I was really looking forward to taking Benjamin to his first pantomime this year. I enjoyed seeing all the children getting excited – it’s part of Christmas.”
Grandmother Amanda Rowse travelled to the Oxford Playhouse from Warborough, near Wallingford, to treat grandchildren Benji Cooke, five, and his sister Sophie, three.
The 65-year-old said: “We come every year. It reminds me of when I was little and I used to go with my granny.”
Armed with a magic wand and a flashing light-up toy, the youngsters could not contain their excitement before seeing Beauty and the Beast come to life on stage. Before heading in to watch, Benji said: “I’m really excited about watching it because I really like the beast.”
Sophie Cooke and her brother Benji who attended the show on Saturday.
Ticket office assistant Eliza Fraser got a sneak-peek at a performance of the magical tale on Friday.
The 25-year-old from Botley said: “I really enjoyed it. It’s funny, very funny and the beast is quite scary. But it’s very amusing.
“This year for some reason it feels jollier. There’s a lot of Christmas spirit.”
- Beauty and the Beast runs at the Oxford Playhouse until Sunday, January 18. Tickets for the 10am showing on Thursday, December 18, have already sold out but tickets for other dates are still available. Tickets for Beauty and the Beast cost between £14.40 and £25.50 and are available online at oxfordplayhouse.com or by calling the box office on 01865 305305.
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