Reasons to be Cheerful: Santa Claus is coming (back) to town!

Three years ago, together with my panto pal Katie Bennett, we were invited by Chichester District Council to stage a family friendly festive entertainment in one of the city’s most beautiful historic buildings: The Guildhall in Priory Park.

Something that can be shared by audiences of all ages, panto is the ultimate family entertainment. Deciding to try and create a special production for this unique setting that included all the ingredients of a traditional pantomime, Katie and I also wanted to inject it with a sense of Christmassy wonder and magic...

Cue the birth of The Priory Park Panto, where the antics of Santa, Mrs Santa, Fairy Sparkle and Norman the Elf proved to be a hit. With a chance for families to meet and greet Santa and his crew after the show, it did indeed offer all the panto fun, plus a chat and a photo opportunity.

This year the panto is once again delivered as part of Chichester District Council's 'Christmas in Priory Park' festive events programme, which aims to support local businesses and complement the annual Festive Market. We are delighted to mark our third year at ‘Santa’s Chichester Headquarters’ with a brand new story, which sees the friends making their Christmas presents by using their talents. Busy writing, rapping, sewing and painting, they are also preparing for a visit from Uncle Holly, who was once VERY prickly! Including an attempt at breaking a world record with the help of the audience, we’ll also discover whether Uncle Holly can be jolly rather than jealous…

I have notched up a fair few pantos in my time, but bringing such a show into the heart of my home city is a particular thrill.

You could say that it is a Reason to be Cheerful with sleigh bells on! 

Photo: Peter Langdown

The cast of The Priory Park Panto also includes John Harcourt-Kelly, Katie Bennett, Jack Mallender and Jim Apted. Performances from 12 December; tickets £11 adults, £8 children. Booking and full performance schedule from The Novium Museum: www.thenovium.org (in the ‘Shop’ tab under tickets and tours)

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