The Malthouse Panto

You can go to the ball!

Canterbury is well and truly at the centre of Christmas Panto jollity every year! Theatre fans here are spoiled for choice – with not one but TWO top-notch pantos in town.

We all know about The Marlowe Theatre’s marvellous Christmas traditions, but did you realise that just a few minutes walk from The Westgate Towers, another panto is throwing open its doors, unfurling lavish costumes and bringing the house down with silly jokes, fantastic musical numbers, ugly sisters and a West End cast?

The Malthouse Theatre is a converted Victorian Malthouse, a short walk from the centre of Canterbury and Canterbury West train station. It’s tucked off St Stephens Rd, out of sight – but when you see it, it will really take your breath away.

Inside, there’s a 300 seat theatre, studios and bar. Part of the King’s School, the theatre is open to the public during the holidays, offering professional and community productions. This year, the Malthouse will again partner with Gardner Hodges Associates in presenting the Fairy Godmother of all pantomimes – CINDERELLA! It’s a great stage and audience experience, being both spacious yet intimate – there’s no seat with a bad view, making it especially good for children.

Joe and Jay Gardner Hodges produce the venue's pantomime. Between them they have worked on theatre productions across the globe encompassing musicals, plays and pantomime. They live in Margate (Joe’s hometown).

We asked Joe and Jay what they’ll be bringing to the festive stage this year…

“This Christmas sees the production of our second family pantomime at The Malthouse. Last year’s production of ‘Beauty and the Beast’ played to sold out houses and tremendous critical acclaim. Our ethos is centred around family affordability, offering a top West End cast and creative team, sumptuous sets and glittering costumes, on a family budget, with top price tickets selling for just £18.50.

We’re ‘Canterbury's most family affordable ball’. Our value for money is simply unbeatable, but our jewel in the crown is our West End cast; some of their credits include, ‘Mamma Mia’, ’Wicked’ and ’Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat’. The magic of ‘Cinderella’ is like no other Panto, pumpkins turning to coaches, glass slippers and big royal balls, it's all very exciting!

To complement our professional principal cast and ensemble, we have forty local children, making up four teams of our juvenile ensemble. We held open auditions locally during August – they're all exceptional talents and we’re delighted to have them with us.”

What’s the most important ingredient for a panto?...

“Laughter – and lots of it. It is really important for us to find the right balance of child and adult humour while remembering that ultimately, we’re producing a piece of family entertainment, it has to appeal to all. The ugly sisters are a hoot, we know they’re the baddies, but they are our favourites. They’re evil, nasty and hilarious and their costumes are pretty glam too!”

So….what happens if something goes wrong, live on stage?

Explains Joe, “You have a martini and laugh (whilst frantically sorting it out). I’ve got better over the years at laughing through the errors instead of getting caught up in them. With panto sometimes the bloopers are the funniest moments, we can't plan them though, they have to be spontaneous!“

What is your message to the families who’ve not yet discovered your panto productions at The Malthouse Theatre?

“Why not?! You won't find anywhere more festive over the Christmas period, there's something about being inside the Malthouse that makes you feel warm and cosy. It's cheap enough to bring the whole family (twice) and beats any Christmas present you'll find under the tree, getting to spend some quality time with your loved ones during the 'most wonderful time of the year'.”

You can all go to the ball Grab your tickets now, before the clock strikes midnight!

Family ticket: £65 | Adults: £18.50 Children/Concessions £16.50

➜ malthousetheatre.co.uk/ event/Cinderella Box office: 01227 287234