First Theatre Royal panto returns after 158 years

Published: 22 November 2023
Reporter: Steve Orme

The Theatre Royal as it was towards the end of the 19th century Credit: Nottingham Historical Film Unit and www.picturethepast.org.uk

The House That Jack Built, the first pantomime at the newly opened Theatre Royal, Nottingham on Boxing Day 1865, is to be performed again at the city-centre venue.

The panto will be brought to life with a script-in-hand performance by the Nottingham Rebels Community Theatre Group. It will be directed by Rebecca Morris, the theatre’s heritage and learning partnerships manager, in the venue’s dress-circle foyer.

She said, “it’s a real pleasure for us to be hosting this unique event which combines so many aspects of the heritage and community work that we do.

“The performance itself is presented by a group of amateur theatre-makers who all access our community theatre programme. They’ve been working hard to bring it to life and to ensure that the script takes centre stage.”

David Longford will give a short talk before the performance, explaining how he adapted the 158-year-old text. He will explore the production’s history and local connections, the wordplay, the characters from Squire Boobyhatch to the Queen of the Amazons, and lost panto traditions.

The House That Jack Built will be at the Theatre Royal on Monday 11 December at 7:30PM.

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