Bringing the joy of Panto to Sick Kids Hospital

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

For the next two weeks, staff from the Learning & Participation team at the King’s, along with actors and crew from the King’s panto will be visiting the Sick Kids hospital to deliver workshops, perform mini pantomimes and give out tickets to see this year’s show, Cinderella.

The project launches today with the delivery of the Panto Presents’ play packs, jam-packed with panto related props and activities for each ward to play with and explore the story of Cinderella in special play workshops. Storytelling sessions, special performances and an exhibition of artwork will take the show to the hospital, and children and families that are able to leave the hospital on day release will be invited to see a performance of the panto at the King’s.

Fiona O’Sullivan, Arts Programme Manager at ECHC, said: “We’re absolutely delighted that Panto Presents will be running once again within the Royal Hospital for Sick Children.

“The workshops, storytelling and brilliant cast visits organised by the Festival and King’s Theatres last year were so much fun, which showed with the beaming smiles on the children’s faces.

“We know that Christmas is a time for family so we’re delighted to be able to help both children and parents share some festive cheer.

“We always aim to let the children act like a child first and a patient second and there’s no more important time to do this than at Christmas.

“With the help of projects such as this one from the Festival and King’s Theatres, we are able to ensure young people’s lives are less interrupted by their illness and hospital and they can have a more positive experience.”