The co-production with Imagine Theatre saw a record high for audience.
De Montfort Hall (DMH) and Imagine Theatre's 2023 pantomime, Jack and the Beanstalk, was the highest selling and most attended in the entirety of their ten-year partnership. 2023 saw over 32,000 seats sold for Jack and the Beanstalk, up by 1,200 seats from 2022’s Cinderella.
This year, DMH welcomed Scott Mills for his pantomime debut, alongside X Factor winner Sam Bailey, A1’s Mark Read, and comedian Jarred Christmas. The production received rave reviews, with many highlighting the winning formula DMH and Imagine have created, with a focus on audience participation, polished production value, and hilarity throughout.
DMH and Imagine are already working on 2024’s offering, Snow White, with the aim of continuing this success.
Speaking of his pantomime debut and his love of Leicester, Scott Mills said, "I have had an absolute ball and couldn’t have wished for a better cast and crew. The last few weeks feel like a dream I don’t want to wake up from. And I got to do it all in one of the friendliest cities I’ve been to, Leicester. Thanks to everyone who helped me so much when I was nervous, and the brilliant audiences that came to see us. I’ve made memories I’ll never forget."
Antony Flint, Venue Director of De Montfort Hall, commented: "We're thrilled to be celebrating such a successful pantomime season – and as ever I must extend my sincere thanks and appreciation to everyone that came to see it, as well as the very talented creatives, cast, crew and staff of De Montfort Hall who made it possible.
"We've always aimed to make the De Montfort Hall panto part of Leicester's Christmas tradition and it's terrific to see that come to fruition with record numbers of people coming to see it this year.
"It's extremely rewarding to see the impact that we’re having, not just in terms of people having a great time and making special memories with family and friends, but also in terms of the effect it has on the local economy, as almost all the people who came through our doors will have also spent money in the city on their trip to see the pantomime at De Montfort Hall."
Pantomime returns to De Montfort Hall in December 2024, with the family favourite, Snow White, taking to the stage.
