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Alhambra Theatre in Bradford to Stage Relaxed Performance During Cinderella Pantomime Season

As preparations for the festive season gain momentum, so does planning for Yorkshire’s biggest pantomime, CINDERELLA, at the Alhambra Theatre in Bradford, including the venue’s third Relaxed Performance, which will be staged on Tuesday 16 January 2018 at 6pm. 

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Undisputed funny man, King of Bradford panto and local legend Billy Pearce stars as Buttons, best-friend to Cinderella in his 19th Alhambra Theatre pantomime season, which delights thousands of theatregoers every year.  Pop singer, television personality and Loose Women favourite Coleen Nolan stars alongside Billy as Cinderella’s fabulous Fairy Godmother.  Shane Nolan joins his mother Coleen in the role of Prince Charming’s Man Servant Dandini.   Audiences attending this Relaxed Performance will enjoy all the magic, sparkle and lavish production values a Qdos pantomime offers, with modified elements to suit the sensory and access needs of patrons; it is catered towards people with special needs or those who may otherwise find attending the theatre challenging.  Qdos and the Alhambra Theatre are committed to creating an environment that welcomes audiences with specific needs to experience live theatre and the magic of pantomime with their friends, families and school groups.    The production in Bradford will be modified to adapt its suitability for audience members.  House lighting is often kept on to allow patrons to feel more comfortable or move about the auditorium, volume levels are reduced so there are no loud bangs, interaction between the stage and the audience is revised and certain language is modified.  Talking and noise is encouraged in the auditorium without judgement, often creating spaces for patrons to have some time away from the production if they wish.    Everyone booking for the Relaxed Performance will be sent a visual story in advance to help them familiarise themselves with the plot, characters and the setting before they arrive at the theatre.  The Relaxed Performance will also include Sign Language Interpretation.    To make the pantomime performance as accessible as possible the Alhambra Theatre is offering tickets for this Relaxed Performance for a special reduced rate of £13.    Adam Renton, General Manager Bradford Theatres comments:  “We are delighted to be working alongside our Qdos colleagues in presenting another relaxed performance at this year’s pantomime.  Following the success of the last two year’s Relaxed Performances at the Alhambra Theatre, it was without hesitation that we decided to present one again this year during our pantomime season.     Once again, listening to feedback from our customers, families and support organisations in the region, we decided to offer the Relaxed Performance at a slightly earlier evening performance time of 6pm this year.  Having seen parents so comfortable at a theatre performance watching their children enjoying the show over the last two years, I hope that even more people will be able to join us for this specially tailored performance.  As well as small changes to the show, we will also be taking a more relaxed approach to noise in the auditorium and will provide a designated chill-out area outside the auditorium for people to use if being in the auditorium becomes overwhelming for them.  We hope that the inclusive welcome and relaxed atmosphere will give everyone the chance to come and experience pantomime.” Michael Harrison, Managing Director of Qdos Entertainment said:   “I’m delighted we’ve been at the forefront of staging Relaxed Performances of our pantomimes, and as our venues have increased for the 2017/18 season it’s wonderful we can extend the number of Relaxed Performances across our season to allow a much wider audience to enjoy one of our shows. They’re also a wonderful opportunity for families with very small children to experience pantomime for the first time in an environment where noise and movement doesn’t matter, it’s all part of the fun and we encourage it.”