Addingham Panto is coming back, oh yes it is!

The last panto staged in the village was back in 2020, but with two years off due to Covid and last year’s production cancelled due to a lack of help, a new committee has come forward to re-start the award winning Pantomime Group once again!

A spokesman for the group said: "We’re delighted to get a new team together and we’re hoping to come back with a bang!"

The first known panto to be performed in the Addingham was back in 1909 with a production of Blue Beard and had been a fixture in the village during the February half term for over thirty years, but the pandemic put a halt to the fun and last year the group were well into rehearsals when the decision was made to cancel.

The new team have started meeting and have lots of plans to take the group forward.

“We really want to put on a great show when we return in February and we would like to invite bids from people interested in directing to get in touch,” said the spokesperson.

The group are also opening up their junior chorus.

“What has always made the Addingham panto so special is the talented young people who take part, we don’t audition for the junior chorus often cast young people into principal roles," added the spokesperson.

“We would love to hear from anyone who would like their child to be part of the junior chorus, we welcome anyone who is in year 3 and above who wants to get on the stage and make our first production a performance to remember!”

Anyone interested in putting in a bid to direct the first show can email addinghampantomimegroup@gmail.com with a few lines on what you’d like to do and why it should be you!

If you’d like to be put in the list for the junior chorus you can email at the same address. Deadline for director bids is Friday, July 7.

The panto will be staged at the Memorial Hall in Addingham from February 9 to 17, 2024.