Newcastle Theatre Royal’s current pantomime Dick Whittington has set a new record as the highest grossing panto in Theatre Royal history, with record takings at the Box Office.
Produced by Qdos Entertainment, the world’s biggest pantomime producer, the show features panto legends Danny Adams, CliveWebb and Chris Hayward, who have delighted Newcastle audiences for over a decade and broken box office records year on year. This panto season they have been joined by award-winning soap star Charlie Hardwick.
Dick Whittington went on sale in November 2014 and by the end of December 2014 had sold over 40,000 tickets. By February 2015 it had taken over £1million at the Box Office, and sold over 80,000 seats ahead of opening night on 24 November.
The Theatre’s 2016/17 blockbuster panto Cinderella went on sale last November, and has set a new record with 47,000 tickets now sold 10 months ahead of its opening night, 7,000 more than Dick Whittington at the same time last year. Cinderella is also on target to take £1 million at the Box Office before Dick Whittington ends this weekend – a new Theatre Royal record!
Theatre Royal pantomimes are widely thought to be among the fastest-selling in the UK, due to the winning combination of father and son team Clive and Danny and their hilarious slapstick routines, the special effects provided by The Twins FX alongside spectacular sets, chroeography and the sensational musical scores. This combination is brought together by Newcastle’s own Michael Harrison, who co-writes, produces and directs the show.
Dick Whittington is also panto on a huge scale – the set was transported in five trucks and it took six wardrobes and nine costume skips to transport all 200 costumes and 100 pairs of shoes from Qdos Entertainment’s workshop in Scarborough. By the end of the run, the cast will have thrown 3,276 litres of water over themselves and the audience, and Dame Chris Hayward will have changed outfits 1,000 times!
Theatre Royal Chief Executive Philip Bernays said: “We are delighted with the success of Dick Whittington, which has proved to be another hit show. We are lucky in having a superb producer in Michael Harrison, one of the biggest movers and shakers in the West End right now, and also an incredible cast and behind-the-scenes team. Now with Cinderella well ahead of target too, we couldn’t be more proud of our panto team. Not forgetting a big thank you to our loyal and supportive audiences who return year on year – we wouldn’t be where we are without you!”
Cinderella opens at Newcastle Theatre Royal on Tuesday 22 November 2016, running until Sunday 15 January 2017. Tickets are selling very fast and early booking is advisable. Dick Whittington appears until Sunday 17 January 2016, with last few tickets remaining and best availability on 15 and 16 at 7pm and 17 at 1pm. Tickets for both shows are available from £12.50 and can be purchased online at www.theatreroyal.co.uk or from the Theatre Royal Box Office on 08448 11 21 21 (all calls are charged at 7p a minute plus your phone company’s access charge, calls from mobiles may vary, please contact your operator for details).