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Panto and ABBA pull in the crowds

Panto and flower power have buoyed the North East economy bringing thousands of visitors to the area over Christmas.

Live theatre and concerts in Newcastle helped bring thousands to the region, including the musical ‘Mamma Mia!’ at the Metro Radio Arena and the pantomime Cinderella at the Theatre Royal.

The former has recorded its largest audience figures in 13 years for one show, while Theatre Royal Newcastle has broken all previous pantomime sales records with Cinderella.

Mamma Mia’s five-week run at the arena has been projected to bring £4m to the local economy. It is estimated that at least a quarter of the people attending the show have come from outside the local area, many of whom will choose to extend their stay overnight, taking in other regional attractions.

Paul Tappenden, Metro Radio Arena marketing director, said: “It’s been a huge success resulting in our largest audience attendances for one show in 13 years. We’ve extended the show by an extra week to meet demand and it is now running until January 17th.”

Cinderella at the Theatre Royal Newcastle has also smashed all previous figures with ticket sales grossing in excess of £1m before the show even opened, becoming the most successful panto in the Theatre’s history.

Chief executive, Philip Bernays, said: “This is without a doubt our fastest selling and most successful panto to date, and to smash all previous records really is an exceptional achievement. We are very proud of our pantomimes and want to thank all the thousands of people that come to see them at the Theatre Royal.”

Andrew Dixon, NewcastleGateshead Initiative chief executive, said: “Both shows have really gripped the local population, as well as attracting visitors from across the country and really shown off the legendary Geordie welcome and capacity for fun.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .