Panto Fun For Everyone With The King’s Theatre!


A mini performance of Snow White at the Sick Kids Hospital. Left to right: Catrin Sheridan, Elita McFarlane (10), Lewis Robb (6), Lisa Hannah Thompson and Alanna Jack (7 months). Photo by Greg McVean

The King’s Theatre Edinburgh is working with the Arts Programme at the Royal Hospital for Sick Children to deliver ‘Panto Presents’, a new project bringing the magic of pantomime to children and families in the hospital over the festive period.

Throughout December and January, staff from the Learning & Participation team at the King’s, along with actors and crew from the theatre’s panto, will be visiting the hospital to deliver workshops, have a cast meet and greet, perform mini pantos and give out tickets for this year’s show, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

Panto-related props and activities

Staff at the hospital have been given ‘Panto Presents’ boxes, jam-packed with panto-related props and activities for each ward to play with and explore the story of Snow White in special workshops, while children and families who are able to leave the hospital for the day will be invited to see the panto at the King’s.

“It’s a real pleasure to be working with Edinburgh’s Sick Kids Friends Foundation,” said Catrin Sheridan, Learning & Participation Coordinator for the King’s and Festival Theatres. “We are delighted to provide unique and exciting activities for the children in the hospital, particularly to those who might not get a chance to see our pantomime at the King’s this Christmas.

“The staff, the children and their families have been so supportive of the project and we are really looking forward to providing a few ‘Pantotastic’ experiences!”

‘Bringing lots of Christmas cheer’

Fiona O’Sullivan, Arts Programme Manager at the Sick Kids Friends Foundation, added: “The Sick Kids Friends Foundation cannot thank the Festival Theatres enough. We’re really looking forward to the workshops, storytelling and, of course, the cast visit, bringing lots of Christmas cheer to the hospital.

“It’s fantastic when organisations like the Festival Theatres get involved in our vital Arts Programme as we continue to transform the hospital experience for children and young people, ensuring they are a child first and a patient second.”

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs is at the King’s Theatre, Edinburgh, until Sunday, January 17, 2016.


The Royal Hospital

Every year over 100,000 children pass through the doors of The Royal Hospital for Sick Children in Edinburgh, ranging in age from just a few hours old to aged 16.

The majority of patients come from Edinburgh, the Lothians and Fife but the hospital treats children from all over Scotland.

Along with Yorkhill Children’s Hospital in Glasgow, the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit at the Sick Kids provides Intensive Care to seriously ill children from across Scotland. The hospital is also home to specialist services for Scotland, including Scoliosis, Epilepsy and Ear Reconstruction Surgery.