A trip to the panto is one of the festive season’s most magical traditions. But for some people, especially first-time theatregoers, a trip to the theatre can feel just as overwhelming as it is exciting.

That’s why registered charity BH Live, which runs Bournemouth Pavilion in partnership with BCP Council, has teamed up with leading panto producers, UK Productions Ltd, to make sure this year’s pantomime is accessible to everyone.

This year’s captioned performance of Cinderella will take place on Sunday 14 December 2025 at 1pm. Dialogue is displayed on two screens throughout the performance.

This performance may benefit those who are deaf, deafened, or hard of hearing. A captioned performance may also be of benefit to those who are neurodivergent, have auditory processing conditions, or whose first language is not English.

Then on Tuesday 16 December 2025 at 10:30am, Bournemouth Pavilion will host a relaxed performance.

At a relaxed performance, the theatre environment is sensitively adapted so that everyone can enjoy the magic of live theatre. Sound levels are lowered, the house lights are kept on, stage smoke is reduced, and people are welcome to move around or take a break away from the auditorium whenever they feel they need to.

These performances may benefit people who are neurodivergent, have learning difficulties or sensory communication disorders, or who find loud noises and bright lights difficult.

Bournemouth Pavilion operated by registered charity and social enterprise BH Live, in partnership with BCP Council.

On behalf of BH Live, Steve Turner, Director of Venues, said;

“Panto is such a special part of the festive season, and we want everyone to feel welcome, comfortable and participate in that magic. A relaxed performance means more people, especially those who might find a new or traditional theatre environment challenging, can experience the joy, laughter, and spectacle of the festive panto.”

Established in 1995, UK Productions Ltd has delivered more than 200 musical and drama productions across the UK and internationally, with credits spanning the West End and Broadway.

On behalf of UK Productions Ltd, Martin Dodd, Managing Director, said;

“We’re absolutely delighted to be offering relaxed and captioned performances of Cinderella this Christmas. Panto is all about bringing people together for laughter, magic and festive fun — and these performances open up that wonderful world to even more audiences. We can’t wait to welcome everyone to join the sparkle and share in the joy of this spectacular show.”

On behalf of BCP Council, Cllr Richard Herrett, Portfolio Holder for Destination, Leisure and Commercial Operations, said:

“The festive season is a time for joy, togetherness, and shared experiences – and there’s nothing quite like the magic of a Christmas panto to bring people together.

“It’s fantastic to see Bournemouth Pavilion offering accessible performances of Cinderella, ensuring that as many people as possible, regardless of their needs or circumstances, can enjoy live theatre and the spirit of the holidays. This is a brilliant example of inclusion in action, and we’re proud to support it.”

Written by acclaimed pantomime master Jon Monie, this year’s production of Cinderella at Bournemouth Pavilion brings the magic of the fairytale to life with spectacular sets, plenty of sparkle, and glorious costumes.

Starring Melanie Walters (Gavin & Stacey, BBC), Olivia Birchenough (Channel 5’s Milkshake!), Bournemouth’s favourite funny man, Noel Brodie, West End star Jack Wilcox, and The Fabulous Sisters, Jamie Morris and Tarot Joseph, together they’ll bring this enchanting rags-to-riches tale to life, complete with comedy, music, magic and, of course, a sprinkling of fairy dust.

Cinderella tickets start from just £19 for selected performances. Early booking is strongly advised to avoid disappointment. This is one fairytale that won’t wait until midnight!

From curtain-up to the final bow, Cinderella promises pure magic, perfect for families, friends, and fairytale fans of all ages.

Tickets are on sale now at bournemouthpavilion.co.uk.

This year’s panto highlights include:

• Performances from Saturday 6 December 2025 – Sunday 4 January 2026
• A variety of vibrant, young talent from across the region including singers and dancers.
• Captioned performance on Sunday 14 December 2025 – open to all
• A relaxed performance on Tuesday 16 December 2025, open to everyone and great for those who prefer a gentler panto experience.
• Ice creams for school groups of 30+ plus a limited number of funded tickets for pupils on low income, thanks to the generosity of previous panto audiences (T&Cs apply).
• Group rates available (10+, 20+, 30+).
• Concessions for under 16s on selected performances.
• School performances Tuesday 9, Wednesday 10, Monday 15 and Wednesday 17 December 2025.

For group bookings or school visits (including subsidised tickets for eligible schools), contact: groupsales@bhlive.org.uk

More information about Bournemouth Pavilion can be found online at bournemouthpavilion.co.uk.

More information about UK Productions Ltd can be found online at ukproductions.co.uk.