STAFF at The Hexagon are already looking ahead to next Christmas after one of the most successful pantomimes in the theatre’s history.
Reading Arts’ Jack and the Beanstalk came to an end earlier this month and tickets for this year’s show have already gone on sale.
Imagine Theatre will once again be producing the show, and will be a new take on Sleeping Beauty.
The last time it was performed was in 2010, and was Imagine’s first panto for Reading, and starred Rainbow’s Jane Tucker, and Emmerdale’s Leah Bracknell.
It was also the first time that local lad Justin Fletcher appeared, in this show as Josh the Jester. Since then, the CBeebies megastar has graduated from just performing in the show to helping write it too.
Away from his alter-ego as Mr Tumble, Mr Fletcher says that by writing the shows he can tailor the scripts to the actors he is working with.
His award-winning comic partnership with dame Paul Morse has seen them perform a host of hilarious routines, including a traditional messy pie-making scene, a comic ballet and a silent skit where they pretended to be decorators with hysterical results.
Audiences loved their roles in Jack and the Beanstalk.
Feedback published by Reading Arts included: “Entertaining, laugh out loud”, “Exceptional casting .. Paul and Justin always TOP”, “Amazing!! Best yet! I was crying with laughter”, and “My sides were hurting. I haven’t laughed that hard in ages”.
People have also taken to social media to announce they had already booked tickets for Sleeping Beauty, despite not knowing who would be appearing in the show.
Reading Arts and venues manager Sarah Cox said: “After the giant success of Jack and the Beanstalk at The Hexagon, we are looking forward to working once again with our partners at Imagine Theatre in 2023, and are delighted to announce next year’s family panto, the timeless tale of Sleeping Beauty.
“We hope to see you in 2023.”
Jack and the Beanstalk was the first Hexagon pantomime to run ‘as normal’ since the covid pandemic caused the 2020 show to be cancelled. This included seeing the junior ensemble, comprising young dancers, taking part in open auditions held in July.
It is expected that these will take place again in the summer, at The Hexagon. Full details will be released nearer the time.
Sleeping Beauty will run at The Hexagon from Saturday, December 9, through to Sunday, January 7.
Tickets cost from £14, and there will be special relaxed performances to ensure people with additional needs can enjoy the show. Signed performances will also take place.
For more details, log on to: whatsonreading.com
