A THEATRE group is staging a pantomime in the upcoming half term.

Braintree-based Pantoloons is putting on Alice in Wonderland, written and directed by Craig Tyler.

The show is being shown during the February half term, starting on February 13, with the team excited to get their hard work back on stage.

Pantoloons chairman Katrina Holding said: “Pantoloons is extremely excited to finally be able to return to the stage with our upcoming production of Alice in Wonderland.

“Like many groups, we were forced to make the very difficult decision not to put on a show last year, when restrictions and the situation with Covid was still uncertain and frequently changing at a time when we would have been starting our rehearsals in October 2020.

“We had put plans in place to ensure we would be abiding by social distancing guidelines, and many people were desperate to try to get back to some sort of normality after the stress and emotional impact of the first lockdown, but in the end we knew the most sensible choice was the one that none of us wanted to have to make.

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The group is preparing for a new venue, after having to cancel the last show.

Katrina added: “In the 39 years that Pantoloons has been performing, we have never cancelled an entire run, and we were all desperately disappointed to have to do so – not only for ourselves, but for the audiences that we know love coming to watch us.

“As it turned out, it was the right decision, but it was still heart-breaking for us all. Then, just as we were looking forward to making arrangements for this year, we were faced with yet another challenge of finding a new venue when the closure of Braintree Arts Theatre was announced.

“We are all keeping our fingers crossed that the worst really is ‘behind us’ now, and we can’t wait to welcome our audiences in to our new home at the Black Notley Community Association Hall.”

Tickets prices start from £8, at ticketsource.co.uk/pantoloonsbraintree.