This isn’t a sponsored post.
BrumHour is invited to share about and experience theatre at The Alexandra and Birmingham Hippodrome throughout the year.
I was excited to see this announcement in my email in box today, having been lucky enough to visit the BrumPanto many years I can’t wait to see it head to The Alexandra in January 2021. Here’s the announcement:
Via Sarah for Ambassador Theatre Group/The Alexandra
BrumPanto, Robin Hood is heading to The Alexandra, Birmingham in January 2021
16th November 2020: Ambassador Theatre Group and Qdos Entertainment in association with Birmingham Hippodrome have today announced their star-studded, socially-distanced pantomime at The Alexandra, Birmingham this festive season.
Robin Hood will run at The Alexandra from Friday 15th January – Sunday 31st January, starring Craig Revel Horwood as The Sheriff of Nottingham alongside Matt Slack, Richard Cadell and Sooty and Doreen Tipton.
All tickets for the first performance of the pantomime (along with all Qdos Pantomimes being held in Ambassador Theatre Group venues this panto season), will be gifted to NHS workers and their families. NHS workers just need to head to healthservicediscounts.com/retailers/atg-tickets-2917 and register for the ballot.
Craig Revel Horwood in Robin Hood 
Matt Slack in Robin Hood
Tickets are on sale to the general public from 10am on Wednesday 18th November and are available in a range of bubble sizes with a safe distance between each group, so customers can enjoy the festive fun, safely.
The production is able to go ahead thanks to the support of The National Lottery, giving thousands of theatregoers the chance to enjoy socially distanced pantomime this Christmas. This initiative between The National Lottery and Qdos Entertainment is providing financial support for theatres to stage socially distanced live pantomimes making it viable for venues to open their doors to the general public, generating vital income for the theatre and helping to restore jobs whilst also providing much-needed cheer.
The safety of both guests and cast are of the highest priority this panto season. Customers will be able to book for a bubble of up to six, as in line with government guidelines, with each bubble being separated by a combination of either empty rows or empty seats to ensure they are the safe 1m distance from other patrons – reducing the venue’s capacity by over 50%. One way systems, staggered arrival times and multiple venue entrances will be in place, with increased sanitising stations available. Instead of queuing for refreshments, guests will be encouraged to stay in their seats by the removal of the interval and the added ability to order drinks directly to their seats. Alternatively, a limited number of reserved tables in the Piano Bar and Ambassador Lounge will be available for those keen to relax before the show with direct table service and plenty of surrounding space. Both the venue and production will have dedicated Covid-19 monitors, employed to keep the cast safe and socially distanced, implementing precautions such as choreographed stage exits and contact-free performing for the actors, with rehearsals limited to just 6 cast or creatives at a time.
Lisa Mart, Theatre Director at The Alexandra said:
Words can’t quite express how thrilled we are to be working with Qdos Pantomimes and our friends at Birmingham Hippodrome to bring this much loved annual tradition back to the city this festive season!
This cross-venue collaboration is one of many examples of cultural organisations in Birmingham working together to provide audiences with entertainment during what has been a challenging time for the sector. We are especially delighted to announce that we will be offering free tickets to our wonderful NHS Staff as a small token of gratitude for their dedication – these will be allocated via ballot at healthservicediscounts.com for those that have registered.
We are incredibly grateful to the National Lottery for their support, without which we would not have been able to proceed. The opportunity to bring our team back to the venue to prepare for this special socially-distanced experience is the Christmas present we have all been dreaming of!”
Richard Cadell and Sooty in Robin Hood 
Doreen Tipton in Robin Hood
Artistic Director and Chief Executive of Birmingham Hippodrome, Fiona Allan and Managing Director of Qdos Entertainment Michael Harrison said:
We’re delighted to be working together to make sure that our loyal audiences in Birmingham don’t miss out on the magic of pantomime this year. Presenting Robin Hood at The Alexandra allows us to see two of the city’s key cultural institutions open with social distancing in place. Although on a different stage, this year’s show will be designed and created by the usual Hippodrome panto creative team, and will feature all the comedy and laughter our audiences have come to expect”.
Tickets for Robin Hood at The Alexandra are on sale from 10am on 18th November. Book tickets using BrumHour’s affiliate link >> HERE <<.
