Dick Whittington, National Theatre
For one year only, the National Theatre is staging a panto for Christmas. Dick Whittington is being performed live to a socially distanced audience
Dick Whittington at the Lyric Hammersmith
'Panto season is cancelled!' intimated Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden back in August. But 'Oh no it isn't!'. Well, not at the National Theatre, anyway. The venue is transforming its Olivier Theatre – the largest of its three spaces – into an in-the-round structure to offer live performances to socially distanced audiences from October, including a production of Dick Whittington landing just in time for Christmas.
Written by Christian and Cariad Lloyd, this version of the classic panto premiered at the Lyric Hammersmith back in 2018, as part of the theatre's 10th anniversary celebrations. The production has since been updated for 2020, with Ned Bennett taking over from Jude Christian as director and an added emphasis placed on ideas of community and togetherness – topics which have never felt more prescient than in a year that's seen so many of us isolated.
Following the adventures of Whittington and his cat, the rags-to-riches tale gets a modern and fresh twist – but don't worry: your favourite baddie, Queen Rat, is evil as ever. Get those vocal chords well-rested before the booing commences… Other than that, expect the usual: great music, singing and dancing, totally villainous baddies and heroes we love to cheer for, set in our favourite city: London. (Where else?)
Not usually one to stage a pantomime, the National Theatre is breaking with tradition for one year only – a year that's seen panto season cancelled at venues up and down the country. Of the decision, artistic director Rufus Norris said: '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.'
Dick Whittington follows on from Death of England: Delroy, Clint Dyer and Roy Williams' BLM-focused follow-up to their acclaimed Death of England, starring Giles Terera (Hamilton), which opens on 21 October.
Tickets for Dick Whittington at the National Theatre will go on sale in October 2020
Written by Christian and Cariad Lloyd, this version of the classic panto premiered at the Lyric Hammersmith back in 2018, as part of the theatre's 10th anniversary celebrations. The production has since been updated for 2020, with Ned Bennett taking over from Jude Christian as director and an added emphasis placed on ideas of community and togetherness – topics which have never felt more prescient than in a year that's seen so many of us isolated.
Following the adventures of Whittington and his cat, the rags-to-riches tale gets a modern and fresh twist – but don't worry: your favourite baddie, Queen Rat, is evil as ever. Get those vocal chords well-rested before the booing commences… Other than that, expect the usual: great music, singing and dancing, totally villainous baddies and heroes we love to cheer for, set in our favourite city: London. (Where else?)
Not usually one to stage a pantomime, the National Theatre is breaking with tradition for one year only – a year that's seen panto season cancelled at venues up and down the country. Of the decision, artistic director Rufus Norris said: '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.'
Dick Whittington follows on from Death of England: Delroy, Clint Dyer and Roy Williams' BLM-focused follow-up to their acclaimed Death of England, starring Giles Terera (Hamilton), which opens on 21 October.
Tickets for Dick Whittington at the National Theatre will go on sale in October 2020
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| What | Dick Whittington, National Theatre |
| Where | National Theatre, South Bank, London, SE1 9PX | MAP |
| Nearest tube | Waterloo (underground) |
| When |
11 Dec 20 – 23 Jan 21, 19:00:00 - 22:00:00 |
| Price | ££TBD |
| Website | Click here for more information |