An "ambitious" project has seen 12 schools in Lowestoft receive an extra special theatrical experience in the classroom this festive season.
A new collaboration between Get Suffolk Reading, the Marina Theatre and schools in Lowestoft - through the Cultural Education Partnership for Lowestoft - has been hailed as an "amazing" success.
It has led to the aptly-named 'Panto in a Box' project being delivered to bring some festive cheer.
The project from the National Literacy Trust-led Get Suffolk Reading campaign was created alongside the Marina Theatre and Lowestoft’s Cultural Education Partnership for schools that were unable to book their usual pantomime visit this Christmas.
Videos from much-loved pantomime actor Terry Gleed formed part of the box that also included activity booklets, props and information about the cast and crew of Jack and the Beanstalk, which is being performed at the Marina throughout December.
Schools used the resources in the classroom to encourage pupils to interact with the story of Jack and the Beanstalk, as well as take part in numerous pantomime traditions.
The headteacher at Red Oak Primary described the project as "absolutely brilliant" while staff at Phoenix St. Peter Academy said it was "lovely to have the whole school come together".
A public trail has also been set up around Lowestoft town centre, where families can set out to find objects relating to Jack and the Beanstalk in the windows of 12 businesses.
At six of the stops there are QR codes that direct to Terry’s videos – and the final stop at the theatre boasts a selfie opportunity for all.
To download the town trail map or view any of the panto in a box resources, visit its website getsuffolkreading.org.uk.
Reaction
Sally Connick, Get Suffolk Reading Project Manager for Lowestoft, said: "Drama and performance bring storytelling to life for children and pantomime allows them to interact with fairytales we all know and love in a new and fun way.
"Getting this ambitious project into classrooms for children to enjoy has been a wonderful challenge and Get Suffolk Reading looks forward to working with the theatre in the future."
George Boundy, marketing manager at the Marina Theatre, said: "From the public trail to the panto in a box schools project, this new collaboration between the Marina and Get Suffolk Reading has been an exciting project throughout.
"Panto is a magical performance form and helping to spread that magic beyond the four walls of our theatre, out into the community has always been a core part of our mission.
"It has been lovely to hear how schools have engaged with this project."
Phil Aves, chairman of the Cultural Education Partnership for Lowestoft, said: "When we heard from schools that they could not attend the pantomime this year due to rising transport and ticket costs we spoke with Get Suffolk Reading, who came up with this idea of a panto in a box.
"It’s been an amazing partnership with the Marina Theatre and the National Literacy Trust.
"We’re very pleased to have been part of making a very enjoyable school project - children love panto."
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