CLACTON'S Princes Theatre staged its highest grossing pantomime ever over the festive season.
The Magical Adventures of Peter Pan ran throughout December and attracted more than 13,000 audience members.
The show featured 3D effects, circus performers, comedy and flying sequences.
Gary Scott, councillor responsible for arts, culture, and heritage at Tendring Council, said: "This year’s pantomime has not only brought the magic of the festive season to Clacton – it has helped strengthen the Princes Theatre’s position as a leading cultural venue in the region.
"Breaking box office records is a testament to the creativity on stage, the dedication of our cast, crew and production partners, and the unwavering support of our audiences.
"We are delighted to see more families than ever choosing to celebrate Christmas with us, and incredibly proud to finish the year on such a high.
"The theatre continues to expand its programme, enhance the visitor experience and invest in the long-term sustainability of this much-loved community venue.
"Our heartfelt thanks go to all our visitors, reviewers and supporters, and to the remarkable team whose work behind the scenes keeps the on-stage magic alive."
Produced by Shone Productions, the show starred Jack Daniels as Peter Pan, Georgina Newton as Tink, Daniel Hanton as Mrs Smee, Ben Coles as Smee, Nancy Edgeler-Ash as the Island Chief, and pantomime favourite Nigel Peever as the villainous Captain Hook.
Audience members took to Tripadvisor to describe the show as “excellent,” “fantastic,” and a “colourful Christmas panto full of laughter".
The season’s success is part of a period of broader growth for the Princes Theatre, with the restoration fee contributing to its preservation and improvement.
Read more
The theatre also thanked patrons who donated to its access fund, which enabled several schools to attend the performance free of charge.
Mr Scott said: "For many children, this was their first-ever experience of live theatre, creating moments of wonder that will be remembered for years."
The Princes Theatre has also retained its title as the top entertainment venue on TripAdvisor in the area, and placed in the top 10 per cent of venues worldwide for customer excellence.
Share