There'll be panto in Gravesend this Christmas, but not as you know it.

Managers at The Woodville have revealed the cast of Rapunzel , which will be staged by Wicked Productions, replacing Aladdin, which has been postponed until next year.

And the show could go down in history, as it is being staged with socially distancing from both the cast and audience.

Written specially to conform to the current guidelines, it will star Gravesend favourite Mama G (aka Robert Pearce) as Dame Dolly Dumpling, along with ventriloquist Nicky Trix as Joey the Jester, and the hilarious Rob Cummings as King Albert. Evil Witch Horrorbella will be played by local Olivier Award winning Leanne Jones.

Tom Swift, producer and writer of the pantomime, is unfazed by the challenge, which he decided to take on in September.

"I'm happy to be doing it," he said. "To be putting on panto, entertaining families and giving those who have worked for me before some work during this time - and being creative during a pandemic.

"These actors have not been on stage doing what they love for months."

He said directing any panto meant giving stage directions, and "blocking" the show in advance, so the process of rehearsals would not be very different.

"It's just the coming together bits that won't happen. But we're having fun with that too - without making fun of Covid. The characters will be socially distancing, as will the actors."

The cast will rehearse for the same amount of time and social distance throughout, while the auditorium will be 50% full, allowing for Covid-safe seating for audiences. There will also not be an interval.

The show still promises magic, toe-tapping songs, dance routines, inspirational sets, fantastic costumes and lots of laughter.

"Let's all have something to laugh about this year, please," said Tom.

Wicked Productions and Tom will also be staging panto at the EM Forster Theatre in Tonbridge, but a show at the Theatre Royal, Margate, could not be put on in a socially distanced format due to the size of the foyer and entrance area.

The show runs from Friday, December 11 until Sunday, January 3, 2021.

To book your tickets visit woodville.co.uk

Nurse Nellie Saves Panto show at the Marlowe Theatre

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