Campaign launched to enable needy and people in hospital to see panto.
Following the success of last year’s Give the Gift of Theatre campaign, Coventry’s Belgrade Theatre has extended the campaign this year so even more families facing financial hardship can enjoy its panto, Jack and the Beanstalk. Money raised from the campaign will also help fund a broadcast of the show to local hospitals, hospices and nursing homes.
For children and adults alike, a visit to the theatre at Christmas can be a magical experience. Unfortunately, as belts tighten, many families across Coventry and Warwickshire will miss out on the experience this year. For others, an over-Christmas stay in hospital or a hospice, or for elderly people in nursing homes, may mean that they are physically unable to visit the theatre.
The Belgrade Theatre’s Give the Gift of Theatre Campaign, aims to provide 300 people, referred through the Coventry Foodbank’s referral partners, with tickets to a performance of its panto Jack and the Beanstalk. It will also provide an internet streamed performance of the show to local hospitals and hospices, where children are spending their Christmas receiving treatment .
Joanna Reid, the Belgrade’s Executive Director said, “Facing financial hardship at Christmas or spending the festive period in a hospital or a hospice, can be a very isolating experience, watching on as others get to enjoy great traditions, such as Pantomime. This Christmas we want to be able to offer people facing the most challenging circumstances a break from this, and to spend some quality time together as a family without having to worry about how to pay for it. There is nothing like the communal experience of live theatre to lift the spirits and make people feel special. We know from experience that the Give the Gift of Theatre campaign has met these needs and this is why we are continuing the campaign.”
The Belgrade has provided the tickets for half their usual price, but a further £2,325 is needed to fund the 300 tickets, as well as the £5,000 it will cost to record and stream the performance of Jack and the Beanstalk.
David Jane, the Belgrade’s Development Director explained “The campaign has got off to a great start with over £4,100 raised by local businesses and individuals in the first few weeks alone in support of these two campaigns. Their generosity means that 300 people, will get to experience the magic of panto this Christmas, who otherwise wouldn’t have been able to attend. But in order to spread the magic of panto even further, we are asking the public to help raise a further £3,200 to enable those who will be spending the festive period in a hospital, hospice or nursing home to see a broadcast of the production via the internet.”
To make a donation to the Belgrade’s Give the Gift of Theatre campaign visit www.belgrade.co.uk/gtg. All funds raised will help ensure that families who are facing financial hardship and people spending the Christmas period in a hospital, hospice or nursing home will not miss out on seeing this year’s Belgrade panto Jack and the Beanstalk.
Another fun way to support the campaign is to take part in the Belgrade’s bean hunt and find tins of Jack’s magic beans that are located in shop windows across Coventry City Centre. The hunt begins on 1st December and runs until 22nd December. To take part collect an entry form from the Belgrade Box Office, West Orchards Shopping Centre, or you can download a copy from www.belgrade.co.uk/gtg. The winning entries will be entered into a draw to win a family ticket to see Jack and the Beanstalk and goodies from some of the participating city centre shops. Entrants will be asked to make a small voluntary donation when they return their entry forms.
Tickets for Jack and the Beanstalk are available now from the Belgrade’s Box Office on 024 7655 3055 priced from £13.50 to £22.25, with child and concession tickets from £10.50. Family tickets are priced from £36 to £62 and cheaper tickets can be purchased online via www.belgrade.co.uk.