An award-winning Hull theatre company celebrate their tenth panto anniversary this Christmas with a return to their spiritual home on Humber Street.
Middle Child’s Rapunz’ull, a helter skelter take on the classic fairy tale, will run at Social from 16-24 December.
The company first performed an alternative panto at Social’s predecessor, Fruit, in 2011 and every year thereafter until 2017, shortly before the venue closed down.
Their rock’n’roll panto then moved to Jubilee Central in 2018 and 2019, while last year Middle Child produced an animated version during lockdown.
Marc Graham has played the dame since 2011 and returns as Pattie Breadcake this year.
He said: “This old warehouse on Humber Street holds a special place in our heart and we are thrilled to return for our panto’s tenth birthday.
“Social may be smarter, warmer and shinier than Fruit, but our scrappy little panto with the cheap tickets is as loud, fun and anarchic as it ever was.
“After having to perform online last year in particular, we really can’t wait to get back in front of a live audience and let our hair down this Christmas.”
Dave Mays, co-owner of Social, said: “The Social team and I are delighted to host Middle Child, back where they belong on Humber Street.
“We’re excited to see what fun and hijinks they will bring to the venue this Christmas as part of their 10th anniversary.
“We’re looking forward to welcoming audiences old and young, to enjoy what we know will be something very special with the right amount of silliness.”
Rapunz’ull is set among the lights of Hull Fair, with Pattie Breadcake starring as a chip spice-chucking fortune teller.
Goblin mayor Gothel has locked away both Pattie and Rapunzel, the heart and soul of the fair, so he can steal Rapunzel’s magic and become the richest man in the world.
But not if the mighty lass with the magic hair – and a Hull audience gripped with revolutionary fever – have anything to do with it.
The story was voted for in a poll by the audience of their last live pantomime, The Little Mermaid, in 2019.
Marc Graham added: “It may be a year later than planned, but that will make it all the more special and this year’s audience will once again get to choose our next panto.”
The rock’n’roll panto features live music, mess galore and the chance to make as much as noise as you can.
Family shows are available at various times throughout the run, including lunchtime and afternoon performances.
The late-night shows also return for not-so-grown-ups to leave the kids at home and enjoy a Christmas night out on their own.
BSL-interpreted performances of both the family and late-night shows will take place on Saturday 18 December.
Tickets are on sale now from the Middle Child website, starting at £10.50 for children and going up to £16.50 for adults.
For one week only, from 11-18 Oct, a Friends and Family offer is also available, saving £5 on any four tickets that include at least one adult and one child.
Visit middlechildtheatre.co.uk/rapunzull for more details and to buy tickets.
