Record numbers see Lichfield Garrick festive shows

Published: 15 January 2017
Reporter: Steve Orme

The cast of Sleeping Beauty at the Garrick Credit: Pamela Raith Photography

More than 30,000 people saw Lichfield Garrick’s four festive performances during December—a record number.

The Garrick presented Sleeping Beauty, an alternative production Crimes Against Christmas, a family show Dear Santa and a comedy special.

Executive director Karen Foster said, “we welcomed the equivalent of the entire population of Burntwood or Rugeley and nearly the equivalent of Lichfield city residents into the theatre. This is an amazing achievement for an independent venue such as the Garrick.”

Artistic director Tim Ford added, “to have so many shows sold out is an incredible achievement and a testament to all the hard work that the team has put in over the past year.”

Sleeping Beauty was the first panto co-produced with Evolution Pantomimes. Crimes Against Christmas, a new comedy thriller co-produced in-house with New Old Friends, has since opened at the Theatre Royal, Bath, adding to the Garrick’s name as a producing house.

Preparations have already begun for 2017’s panto Aladdin. Two of the actors who appeared in Sleeping Beauty have already confirmed they will be returning: Sam Rabone as Widow Twankey and Ben Thornton as Wishy Washy.

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