Award-winning Hull theatre company Middle Child are celebrating their 10th panto anniversary this Christmas with a return to their spiritual home on Humber Street.
Middle Child’s Rapunz’ull, a 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.
New panto just dropped! And we’re back down Humber Street 🍓🍋🍏
Rapunz’ull, 16-24 December. Tickets on-sale now: https://t.co/3cAfggXh7R pic.twitter.com/eLqPYmYtFV
— Middle Child (@MiddleChildHull) September 30, 2021
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.”
Rapunz’ull is set among the lights of Hull Fair, with Pattie Breadcake starring as a chip spice-chucking fortune teller.
The story was voted for in a poll by the audience of their last live pantomime, The Little Mermaid, in 2019.
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.
Find out more, and how to book tickets, here.
