Pantomime japes, jeers & jokes

Karen Neville

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Wiltshire

Karen Neville

, ,

Love them or loathe them, pantomimes are most people’s first introduction to the theatre, the tales of good triumphing over evil are as old as time but that doesn’t stop their enduring allure. So book your tickets and take your seat…

The clock is ticking so pop on your glad rags and grab your tickets to the ball at the Wyvern Theatre, Swindon for the timeless tale of Cinderella, the young girl desperate for a life of glamour and excitement and to escape her wicked stepsisters. A pair of shoes really can change your life as you’ll find out from Dec 7th-Jan 5th. Book at Book Cinderella tickets | Wyvern Theatre Swindon

Join Father Christmas and his Chief Elves in the North Pole as they get ready for Christmas Eve at Swindon Arts Centre. Father Christmas has decided to give Mrs Claus a well-earned rest so has enlisted his elves – and you – to help him complete an ever-growing to-do list! He needs your help to check the ‘naughty and nice’ list, look after his reindeer, and so much more… all before the clock strikes! Guaranteed to be jam-packed with more jokes than a Christmas cracker, this is an adventure the whole family can enjoy with magic, songs, and festive cheer throughout! Enjoy The Father Christmas Show, A Festive Panto Adventure from Dec 18th-24th. Book at Book The Father Christmas Show tickets | Swindon Arts Centre

Mirror, mirror on the wall… What’s the greatest pantomime of them all? Snow White & the Seven Dwarfs at Bath Theatre Royal of course… Poor Snow White is doomed to live unhappily ever after with her horrid stepmother, the Wicked Queen. In true rags-to-riches style, will Snow White, with the help of her madcap friends and a handsome Prince, vanquish the Queen’s evil plans? With a beautiful princess, a jealous Wicked Queen, seven bumbling dwarfs, a delicious Dame, a hilarious jester and not forgetting a poisoned apple and a magic mirror, it’s not to be missed! Bursting with great songs, stunning dance routines and plenty of laughter, this is a magical treat for all. Bath’s must-see Christmas show runs from Dec 12th until Jan 12th. Tickets at Snow White & the Seven Dwarfs — Theatre Royal Bath

You’ll be egg-cited by the panto at the Theatre Royal Winchester this year. Have a gander at Mother Goose, Nov 30th-Jan 5th. Poor Mother Goose’s fortunes change when she meets the magical Priscilla, the goose that lays golden eggs! But when Priscilla is stolen away, Mother Goose and her son Jack embark on an adventure (or wild goose chase!) to rescue her, with a little help from their friends and you, of course! Visit Mother Goose | Theatre Royal Winchester to book. 

Head to Salisbury Playhouse this festive season for a magical family pantomime extravaganza. With dazzling dances, laugh-out-loud hilarity and sparkling songs from a live band, Sleeping Beauty promises pure festive joy for the entire family. Embark on an unforgettable adventure as Princess Stella falls under the wicked curse of evil Fairy Badflix, doomed to sleep for a hundred years. Can her loyal friends and family break the spell? Will the forces of good triumph over evil? And is there a charming prince in Salisburyshire ready to save the day? Don’t snooze and miss out! Get your tickets for the panto which runs until Jan 12th at Sleeping Beauty | Pantomime 2024/25 | Wiltshire Creative

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Sparkle at Stourhead This Christmas

Karen Neville

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Wiltshire

Karen Neville

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Dazzling new artworks are set to light up the trail in Wiltshire this festive season

Excitement is building as Christmas at Stourhead returns from 29th November to 1st January – promising to be bigger, brighter, and more magical than ever before.

This year’s illuminated after-dark trail, created by Culture Creative and produced in partnership with Sony Music and the National Trust, will feature an array of dazzling new light installations guaranteed to enchant visitors of all ages.

This year’s trail is set to sparkle with new artistic innovations from internationally renowned creators, ensuring a festive experience like no other.

Among the new must-see features are:

Sea of Light by ITHACA Studio: An awe-inspiring large-scale display, where thousands of individually controlled LED light balls animate in harmony with a bespoke soundtrack, creating a mesmerizing and immersive experience.

Light a Wish by OGE Design Group: Capturing the whimsy of dandelion seeds floating through the air, this piece symbolises wishes taking flight, adding a touch of wonder to the trail. This playful and emotion-evoking installation by artists Merav Eitan and Gaston Zahr has captivated audiences worldwide.

Snowflake Show by Scot Gianelli: Huge snowflakes, up to five metres tall, will light up in time with festive music, casting a magical glow across the grounds. Designed by Scot Gianelli, a Los-Angeles-based lighting designer known for his work across theatre, fine art, and architecture, this display is sure to wow visitors.

These dazzling new artworks will join Stourhead’s already beloved illuminated trail, featuring a spectacular array of twinkling lights, sparkling tunnels, and vibrant woodland and lakeside displays.

The historic landscape will be filled with the scents and sounds of Christmas, offering visitors the chance to step into a winter wonderland like no other.

Whether you’re exploring with family, friends, or loved ones, this festive trail promises to create new memories against the breathtaking backdrop of one of the UK’s most iconic gardens.

There’s even a chance to catch a magical glimpse of Father Christmas as you stroll through the sparkling grounds.

With over a million twinkling lights transforming Stourhead’s stunning grounds, this is an unmissable event for your festive calendar.

For more information and to book tickets online please visit Christmas at Stourhead 2024 | My Christmas Trails

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Acclaimed Chamber Choir comes to Manningford

Round & About

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Wiltshire

An acclaimed international chamber choir will be holding a choral music evening at St Peter’s Church, Manningford, in aid of vital church roof repairs this June.

‘My Spirit Sang All Day’ will be conducted by renowned vocal coach and musician Rachel McCorry who will lead the Sharcott Chamber Group in a selection of timeless, sacred and secular choral music from across the centuries. Including works by Finzi, Mozart, Mendelssohn and Bruckner.

The event is taking place on Saturday 1st June at St Peter’s Church, Manningford, near Pewsey. Doors open at 6pm for a glass of wine and nibbles which are included in the £15 ticket price. The concert will run from 6.30pm to 8.15pm with an interval.

The choir is a tightly-knit ensemble based in Wiltshire who have shared years of musical experiences. Including tours in the US, the Netherlands, France and Belgium. They have chosen St Peter’s Church because of its excellent acoustic and are kindly donating their services in return for using the space for a recording earlier this month.

The group of nineteen singers who will sing in Manningford Church were an auditioned subset of ‘The Village Singers’. Founded by Rachel, the choir is an ensemble of around 70 musicians ranging in age from teenagers to 80 year olds from all around Wiltshire. The group began singing in the pub at Sutton Benger but quickly grew and relocated to a village school before moving to St. Andrew’s, Chippenham under the musical directorship of Rachel McCorry. The choir’s repertoire includes sacred and choral pieces, classical and opera, spirituals, folk, pop and show tunes.

In 2014 the choir sang in Ypres Cathedral and at the Menin Gate Memorial to the Missing in Bruges. In 2017, they performed in three stunning Paris venues. Eglise de la Madeleine, Eglise St Louis en L’Ile and Eglise St Germain l’Auxerrois. In January 2019 they performed the US premier of Symphonic Adiemus, in Carnegie Hall, New York, as part of an international choir with composer, Sir Karl Jenkins in residence. Earlier this year, Rachel took a small group for a return trip to Carnegie Hall and to celebrate the end of her time with The Village Singers, they have very recently completed a tour in Amsterdam.

The church has space for around 75 so people are advised to book early to be sure of a seat. There will be managed parking close to the church.

Tickets for the June concert are available in advance only from:

Manningford PCC Sort code: 30-92-63 Account number: 01724232 Reference: ‘Concert’ and your name.

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Channel 5’s Skin A+E Needs Wiltshire

Round & About

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Wiltshire

5 Star and Boom are looking for people from Wiltshire with various medical conditions to appear on SKIN A+E which is returning for its second series.

Following on from the success of the first series, which can be viewed here: SKIN A+E SERIES LINK

The doors to the Skin A+E clinic will be open for a second time, where a team of top UK dermatologists will give participants a FREE consultation, advice and medical treatment if appropriate.

If you, or someone you know, has a skin condition that you would like help with then the team at Boom would like to hear from you.

Perhaps your condition doesn’t qualify for treatment on the NHS? Or your treatment has been delayed?

Have you been unable to find the right treatment for your skin condition?

Or are you on a long waiting list for a referral to a dermatologist?

Their team of dermatologists would love to help you!

Applicants who are picked must be willing to talk openly and frankly about their condition and be available for filming for one day in April or May 2021. All applicants must be legal residents of the UK, currently live in the UK and be aged 18 and above.

To get more information and fill in an application form please email the production company at:
[email protected]

Deadline for applications is Friday 30th April 2021

We welcome applications from all sections of the community. Boom will process your information in accordance with its privacy policy (Boom Privacy Notice for Contributors) Applicants should be aware that due to the high volume of responses we cannot guarantee to reply to everyone.

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