Panto ticket sales support community programmes in Tewkesbury
The Roses Theatre's pantomime serves not only as its artistic highlight but also supports community projects
Last updated 20th Oct 2026
The Roses Theatre in Tewkesbury is set to celebrate the town’s rich history through its unique production of Sleeping Beauty, blending local events with the festive spirit of pantomime.
This show sees Aurora fall asleep during the historic Battle of Tewkesbury, waking at the 2026 medieval festival.
The pantomime serves not only as the theatre's artistic highlight but also supports community projects, with ticket sales contributing significantly to local programmes and initiatives.
Derek Bond is the CEO of the Roses theatre and the director of this year's pantomime.
He said, ''I think really good theatres reflect the place that they're in and the people around them. And I think our job as a theatre is to reflect that back and to give Tewkesbury a really great night out or an afternoon at the theatre.''
One-fifth of its annual proceeds come from pantomime ticket sales, so the pantomime is vital for the theatres survival.
Derek said, ''It's hugely important for us that the show is financially successful because it brings in so much of the resources that we desperately need to keep the doors open. But also more than that, it brings more people in than any other single production that we do in the rest of the year.
We're doing over 50 performances of the panto over the season and it will be seen by 17,000 people over the run!''
The Roses theatre serves as a cornerstone for community programmes, Its youth theatre, wellbeing groups and initiatives support people in the community to build connections and get involved in the arts.
Derek told us about one of the initiatives.
He said, ''one of them is an amazing choir, Sing for Health and Wellbeing. Some of the people who come there have actually been prescribed to join this choir because it helps them with their lung health. So people who've got things like COPD or asthma, being part of a choir can really help you with that. But also, it's enormous fun!''