ARTS & CULTURE
11 DECEMBER – 5 JANUARY CAMBRIDGE JUNCTION
THE WIND IN THE WILLOWS
The annual Junction Christmas show is far from a traditional panto, but this year’s show captures the very best bits – lots of physical comedy and audience interaction – while giving the concept a very modern, fresh reworking. It’s a heartwarming look at the theme of friendship, through the prism of Kenneth Grahame’s classic tale of riverbank animals, and adults and children alike will come away feeling as if they’ve had more than just an entertaining evening. Rachel Porter, Suzanna Hurst and Sarah Moore from theatre company Figs in Wigs, who are producing the show, explain: “The Junction has been supporting us since we started out in 2012, when we took part in their Escalator scheme promoting new acts from the east of England, and we were over the moon when they asked us to produce their Christmas show for this year,” says Sarah. “We picked The Wind in the Willows partly because it’s one of our favourite stories, but also because it’s almost always acted by men, and as an all-female group we wanted to give it a different slant. We also wanted to avoid anything too ‘princessy’, so that ruled out a lot of the more traditional fairy tales. It is a story about friendship rather than romantic love, which really appealed to us.” This new story catches up with Mole, Ratty and Toad a year after the events of the well-known book. “Toad is still obsessed with travel, but this time he’s expanded his horizons to space, and the three friends take off on an interstellar adventure,” explains Suzanna. The riverbank animals will also be embracing the festive season, in their own unique way: “The animals know that Christmas is important, but they’re not entirely sure why, so they get things a bit wrong!” says Rachel. The Junction is a great space for a more intimate Christmas show, and the Figs are really looking forward to performing there. “It offers lots of potential for audience interaction and trying out new things,” continues Sarah. “We’ve got lots of surprises in store for the audience, and we’re very excited about being part of a Cambridge Christmas!” Tickets cost from £10. junction.co.uk
21-22 DECEMBER THE MUMFORD THEATRE
A proper, old-fashioned Christmas panto aimed at children aged from three to 12, Jack and the Beanstalk at the Mumford Theatre is guaranteed to put a smile on your face. Get ready to cheer for our hero Jack, boo the evil Mayor Botchett and roar with laughter at the antics of Barmy Bosworth and Dimples the cow as they try to get the better of Dame Lumpkin. With two performances on Saturday and two more on Sunday, it’s the perfect way to get your family in the mood for festive fun. Tickets are £10. aru.ac.uk JACK & THE BEANSTALK
23
C A M B S E D I T I O N . C O . U K
D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 9
Powered by FlippingBook