Theatre lovers have thought of a novel way around ensuring the magic of their annual family panto continues despite the latest lockdown.

Even Tier 4 restriction have not cast the Rainham Theatrical Society plans into the wind as the show will be streamed online and has already been performed.

Panto Pandemic follows the story of how the magical Panto Land has been put into lockdown by the pesky pandemic affecting all the characters living there.

Cinderella, Snow White and Sleeping Beauty have all been forced to stay at home after the Giant (Phil Willing) caught a deadly disease after eating an uncooked cat at the Giant's Market.

When he sneezed from the top of his beanstalk, he spread the disease across Panto Land.

It's all down to Jack – played by Holly Geldard – and her mum Dame Jolly Jacky (Dean Caston) to find the cure and bring the vaccine to everyone in the land.

More than 611 videos have been produced by the cast recording their parts at home.

Writer Mike Gentry, along with his wife Charlotte, are now editing the clips together to produce the final production which will be streamed online for the first time on January 8 at 8pm.

The virtual panto came about when Charlotte, the society's social media manager, and her father Dean, the society's press relations manager, were looking through old performances and planning to release some nostalgic posts as plans for the physical live panto this year had to be scrapped.

But Mike, who heard about the idea, set about writing the virtual panto script and came up with a story instead.

The call was answered by 31 members willing to put a show together and record their lines, create their own costumes and send the clips back to Mike and Charlotte via WhatsApp.

The panto at the Oasthouse Theatre has been running in January for 56 years and is a fixed tradition in the society's calendar.

It had been due to put on Treasure Island next month but due to the pandemic, theatre doors closed in March and have yet to reopen.

"This has been a tough year for everyone so it is great that we can spread some panto magic..."

Mike, has previously written panto scripts for his work, penned the script in two weeks. He said: "They had always gone down very well, so I had faith in myself that I could successfully pull it off but didn’t quite imagine the task that was ahead."

Dean, who returns as the dame for Panto Pandemic, added: "This has been a tough year for everyone so it is great that we can spread some panto magic to the people of Medway. Panto is often the first experience of theatre for many and this year they can enjoy it in the comfort of their own living room.

"I even get to put on a frock and false boobs again so all is well in the world of panto."

The show will be aired over Zoom with ticket holders provided with the link and log-in details to watch along from their homes.

Tickets are priced at £1 for theatre members, and £5 for non-theatre members and tickets can be booked at www.oasthousetheatre.co.uk

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