Newly formed production company, Joy Productions, led by producer Julie Clare and co-producer Chuchu Nwagu have entered into a five-year partnership with the newly refurbished Grade II listed Broadway in Catford to programme their annual pantomime for the coming five years.
This inaugural year, Susie McKenna will write and direct Jack and the Beanstalk – the production opens on 15 December, with previews from 13 December and runs until 31 December.
With a message of accessibility, inclusivity and diversity at the heart of the new alliance, over 8500 tickets across the run are £10. Education and outreach initiatives will run alongside the pantomime, including education partnerships with local colleges and West End theatres, with further details to be announced shortly.
Susie McKenna said today, “Pantomime has been a huge part of my career for 40 years, not least my 22 years at the helm of the critically acclaimed Hackney Empire panto. After a break of three years from the genre, I am over the moon and excited to be embarking on a new Pantomime adventure at the beautiful Broadway theatre, working with Joy Productions. My mum lived in South East London for over 20 years so I can’t wait to create a show for the area that truly reflects the dynamic energy and diversity of this community – something every generation can feel true pride in and ownership of.”
Julie Clare commented, “It means so much to me that we are bringing the joy of panto to Lewisham this Christmas and that we’re doing it with truly diverse onstage, creative and backstage teams including as many local residents as possible. As someone who has lived in Catford for 22 years, Broadway is my local theatre, and I couldn’t be more delighted to be working with them to make something by Lewisham, for Lewisham.”
Chuchu Nwagu added, “My first experience of theatre was my local panto in north London, and it’s what gave me the bug to work in the industry in the first place. It’s this experience we want to extend to others – to give them their first experience of theatre; and also to build a much needed inroad into the industry for Global Majority and working class talent to build a sustainable future.”
