Drive-in panto comes to Norfolk and Suffolk
A season of festive drive-in events is heading to Norfolk and Suffolk
The Suffolk Showground at Trinity Park and the Norfolk Showground will play host to two long weekends of drive-in festivals later this month.
The weekends include feelgood seasonal movies, a drive-in pantomime, and lots of festive food and drinks.
The Suffolk screenings run from December 27th to 30th, while in Norfolk, the films will be shown from December 17th to 22nd followed by the panto from the 19th to 22nd December.
To ensure the pantomime meets social-distancing rules, it will take the form of a drive-in screening so people can enjoy the show in their cars in their social bubbles.
The star of the show will be Iain Lauchlan, a well-known face on children's TV for many years, working on shows including The Tweenies, Fun Song Factory, Playdays and Play School.
He'll be joined by a host of professional performers who will be supported behind the scenes by the Belgrade Theatre team.
The panto is set in Prickly Bottom, and will see villagers plagued by a Covid-17-and-a-half lockdown plus an outbreak of thefts by an evil Giant and his horrible henchman.
As well as the panto offering, there's also a full programme of classic Christmas movies being screened including: The Nightmare Before Christmas, The Grinch, Elf and Muppet Christmas Carol.
There's also going to be a large street food market offering a range of snacks, hot food, and drinks.
Andrew Dunn, from Ideal Events who are behind the drive-in shows, said: "A traditional fully-cast pantomime in person is difficult this year because of the current Covid-19 restrictions and so we thought this was the ideal way to ensure a wide audience from both Norfolk and Suffolk could still enjoy a fully-cast festive spectacular packed with panto magic.
“Iain’s knowledge and love for panto is unsurpassed (oh yes it is) and we are delighted to be working with him and the Belgrade Theatre to bring the classic story of Jack and the Beanstalk to life here on screen.
“We all love a Christmas movie too and there will be a full programme of those for all ages to enjoy too, and we will be keeping you warm with a fantastic food and drink offering, so jump in your car and head along to the ultimate festive festival this December.”