Record year for Worthing Theatres

During 2008, 406,423 people visited the three venues '“ the Pavilion Theatre, Connaught Theatre and Assembly Hall '“ which was 25,000 more than the previous year.

During December alone, 1,800 people came through the theatres' doors each day, totalling more than 44,000 people who saw one of the two pantomimes, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs or Jack and the Beanstalk, while the total income for pantomime was up by five per cent.

Pantomime success

Kim Fleming, head of sales and marketing, said: "Despite what is happening in the high street, the success of Worthing's pantomimes indicates that people like the tradition of beginning their Christmas with the fun and laughter of panto."

Snow White was the second most successful pantomime in Worthing Theatres' history, beaten only by Peter Pan in 2003.

Paul Hammond, director of Snow White, said: "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs exceeded expectations.

"We had a great cast and a spectacular show, which led to incredible word-of-mouth popularity.

"With such success in a credit crunch, we are hoping to beat the record next year when we bring Cinderella to the Pavilion Theatre."

Next Christmas

Both pantomime companies will return to Worthing this year with family favourites Robinson Crusoe by the Proper Pantomime Company at the Connaught Theatre and Cinderella by Hammond Productions at the Pavilion Theatre '“ and more than 1,200 people have already booked.

West End theatres may be feeling the effects of the economic slowdown but with West End productions of Blood Brothers and Buddy coming to Worthing in June.

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