Preview: Alice in Wonderland at South Shields Customs House

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Alice and The Customs House

Celebrate 150 years!

Alice in Wonderland

South Shields Customs House

Tuesday 1^st December 2015 to Saturday 9^th January 2016.

Alice 150: Natasha Haws as Alice blows out the birthday candles

It was celebrations all round at The Customs House theatre this week.

The venue in South Shields is staging a lavish production of Alice in Wonderland, which celebrated its 150^th anniversary on Thursday 26^thNovember, as its annual pantomime. 

The theatre chose Lewis Carroll's zany tale as it too is celebrating 150 years this year since the building first opened its doors as a customs port in 1865.

Mad Hatter’s Tea Party: 

Natasha Haws and Steven Lee Hamilton

Customs House Executive Director Ray Spencer, who directs, co-writes and stars in the annual festive show, said: "Alice in Wonderland was the obvious choice for this year's pantomime.  “It’s a fantastic story with very colourful characters who really lend themselves to the art of pantomime. And, as some of the story was written in South Tyneside, we felt we had to really celebrate our link to one of literature’s greatest and most iconic tales. Come take a trip to a winter wonderland this Christmas."

Alice and White Rabbit: 

Luke Maddison and Natasha Haws

Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland was first published in November 26, 1865 and tells the story of a young girl named Alice who falls through a rabbit hole into a fantasy world.

It was written by English author Charles Lutwidge Dodgson under the pseudonym Lewis Carroll and it is said he wrote famous poems Jabberwocky and The Walrus and the Carpenter while visiting family in Whitburn.

The Customs House is also adding to the madness of Carroll’s world with Mad Hatter’s Tea Parties throughout the festive season. On December 6, 22, 23, 27, 28, 29 and 30, children will be able to enjoy special parties with an afternoon tea, party games, entertainment and an opportunity for a meet and greet with some of the panto cast members.

Read the original preview: http://nomorepanicbutton.blogspot.co.uk/2015/10/preview-alice-in-wonderland-at-south.html

Dame: Ray Spencer as The Duchess

Tickets:

Alice in Wonderland, sponsored by Hays Travel, is at The Customs House from Tuesday 1^st December 2015 to January 9^th.

Tickets for the pantomime and Mad Hatter’s Tea Parties start from £9 and are available from the box office on 0191 454 1234 or from www.customshouse.co.uk.

For exclusive behind-the-scenes footage, competitions and all the latest news in Wonderland follow #BigHeart @thecustomshouse.

Cast:

Anne-Marie Owens – Queen of Hearts

Ray Spencer – Duchess

Natasha Haws – Alice

Steven Lee Hamilton – Mad Hatter

Luke Maddison – White Rabbit

Afnan Iftikhar – Knave of Hearts

Stephen Sullivan – King of Hearts & Mad March Hare

Kylie Ann Ford – Dormouse

Craig Richardson – Tweedle Dum

Gareth Hunter – Tweedle Dee

News: Panto Fans Snap Up Tickets For Next Year’s Show At The Customs House

Panto Fans Snap Up Tickets For

Next Year’s Show At The Customs House

Alice In Wonderland

South Shields Customs House

December 1 2015 to January 9 2016

Panto fans are in for a treat as they take a trip to Wonderland next Christmas. The Customs House in South Shields has unveiled its 2015/2016 pantomime will be Alice in Wonderland.

This year’s seasonal show Little Red Riding Hood is two weeks into its run and has already sold more than 22,000 tickets and despite Alice in Wonderland having only been on sale a matter of days more than 1,500 have already been snapped up – 12 months ahead of its opening.

Customs House Executive Director Ray Spencer, MBE, who is currently starring dame Granny Hood in Little Red Riding Hood, said: “Alice in Wonderland seemed an obvious choice as the novel and The Customs House are both celebrating 150 years in 2015. This is the first time Little Red Riding Hood has been performed at The Customs House and it has been getting great reviews and audience feedback so we’re all very excited to debut Alice in Wonderland next year.”

Join the Customs House gang as they follow Alice down the rabbit hole for an adventure you’ll never forget. Ray added: “We’ve obviously made a good choice for next year’s show as people are already booking up in their droves. More than half the available tickets have already been snapped up for Christmas Eve 2015. We’re thrilled Alice in Wonderland has struck a chord with our audiences. It may be something entirely new but it will have all the ingredients of a traditional Customs House panto – so expect great songs, hilarious comedy routines and lashings of fun. Don’t be late to celebrate – get your tickets now!”

Tickets:

Alice in Wonderland, sponsored by Hays Travel, is on from December 1, 2015 to January 9, 2016. Tickets start from £9 and are available from the box office on 0191 454 1234 or by visiting www.customshouse.co.uk.

Little Red Riding Hood runs until January 10 – and there are still tickets available to selected shows.