Former Miss St Helens takes centre stage in digital pantomime as Sleeping Beauty

St Helens' Rebecca Lake plays princess Aurora in the digital performance of Sleeping Beauty which is now digitised to homes all over the nation in time for Christmas with a percentage of sales given to charity.

The production was filmed live at the Brindley Theatre in Runcorn and re-mastered for digital audiences.

It also stars Crissy Roc, star of ‘Benidorm’ and ‘I’m A Celebrity’ whose stand-up comedy tour launches in Autumn appeared as Fairy Nuff in the digital Sleeping Beauty, pictured here with Chris Pym, who plays Prince Harry. Picture credit: Polka Dot Pantomimes

She will be taking the role of ‘Fairy Nuff’ appearing alongside a cast of professional musical theatre performers.

The two-hour show is packed with everything audiences will love, from spectacular scenery to extravagant costumes, topical jokes and special effects.

Most importantly, a donation from the main event page on Ticketmaster Universe, priced at £15.49 per household, will be split equally between the Actors Benevolent Fund and the Equity Benevolent Fund.

This will help give vital support in a year when the arts have been dramatically hit by the lockdown and when thousands of theatre staff face Christmas and New Year without employment.

MENCAP, Great Ormond Street and Cancer Research UK will also receive revenue from their own ticket sales for the event – an offer that is open to smaller charities. Regional theatres promoting the show to their patrons can receive a share in revenue from ticket sales they generate.

Karen Courtney, a veteran pantomime producer who founded The Original Online Panto Company to digitise Sleeping Beauty in the wake of the second lockdown said: “This year, I’ve seen colleagues, friends, theatres and the creative industries suffer and I wanted to do something to support them and help the charity sector while keeping the panto season alive.

"We had weeks to turn this around and what we’ve made is incredible, working with a fantastic production of Sleeping Beauty by Polka Dot Pantomimes. The most important thing to all of us involved is to ensure that charities who need the funding the most benefit from the sales of these tickets.

“If you’re reading this and you have a theatre, a charity, or maybe you’re a performer who has had a tough year, why not get involved promoting what we hope will become the biggest pantomime production in the world, seen by millions while raising funds for your cause? People of every age will love this production of Sleeping Beauty, it’s the perfect gift to send loved ones and hopefully everyone buying tickets will feel happier this Christmas knowing they’ve supported UK charities and the arts.”

Professional theatre actors who would have been appearing in Panto this Christmas are helping to raise funds for charities by recording bespoke video messages for people wishing to customise their viewing experience of The Sleeping Beauty by The Original Online Panto Company this Christmas. Picture Credit: The Original Online Panto Company

Actor and writer Eric Potts who has also been involved in the creation of the project said: “This is top quality British pantomime at its best, charming and traditional, it’s a fabulously festive treat to watch with your loved ones from the comfort of your own home, while helping lots of great charities who have struggled to raise funds this year.

“With the added option of a personalised message from Father Christmas in Lapland, this is everything you need for a magical and memorable treat this Christmas.”

With no queuing and the best seats in the house guaranteed, the digital Sleeping Beauty by The Original Online Panto Company will bring the magic of the theatre to every home this Christmas, right through until the 3rd of January which is the last day the show can be viewed.

Tickets are available for £15.49 per household and they are available from theoriginalonlinepantocompany.com

School bookings are also available from: schools@theoriginalonlinepantocompany.com