Tickets for a festive show which could 'save Christmas' for many this year have gone on sale.

The Marlowe Theatre's pop-up show, Nurse Nellie Saves Panto , will play to a socially-distanced audience after being created at short notice with Evolution Productions when the Canterbury theatre was forced to postpone its scheduled show, Jack and the Beanstalk.

Although it won't be quite the usual format, it will star panto favourite Ben Roddy and still have plenty of classic pantomime moments including the legendary ghost gag bench.

Producer and director Paul Hendy said: "We desperately wanted to do this. We want it to be safe for the actors and audience and all the people who work at the theatre but ultimately the will was there. If there is one year when we need panto, it's this year.

"It won't be huge; it won't be that atmosphere you're used to, it will be intimate. But I think that will make it just as exciting. We are thrilled to be doing it and we just cannot wait."

Describing the show as "joyous, uplifting and funny" he said: "I am trying to make it everything people really want at the end of this year. It will be everything that you know and love about the Marlowe Theatre panto."

Alongside panto favourite Ben Roddy as Nurse Nellie will be other "familiar faces" he said, who will be announced soon.

Creating the show in such a short time frame and within the guidelines had been hectic, he said.

"We are producing these pop-up pantos across the country so it's hard work but this is what we do and it is what we love. This year more than any other year I think it's going to make a real difference."

The show will be performed to a socially-distanced audience of around 350 and 400 per performance, compared to the usual 1,164. Nurse Nellie Saves Panto will run from Friday, December 11 to Sunday, January 3.

To book tickets go to marlowetheatre.com or call 01227 787787.

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