Starlight brings cheer to children’s wards across the country with panto

Interactive performance of Dick Whittington to visit the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital (NNUH).

The festive season can be a particularly gloomy time for children battling illness and it is estimated that over 100,000 children will spend time in hospitals and hospices across the UK this Christmas. As part of its Christmas of Happiness campaign, this year Starlight Children’s Foundation will be bringing fun and entertainment to poorly children across the country with its touring hospital pantomime.

Staged exclusively for Starlight by interactive theatre group The Panto Company, Dick Whittington is a wonderful show that will bring laughter and smiles to thousands of very brave children this Christmas. On Friday 11th January 2013, Starlight’s pantomime will visit the Jenny Lind Children's Hospital at the NNUH. During the visit, the panto’s four actors will dance, dazzle and sing to young patients and help them to forget their illnesses and have a bit of fun!

Judy Holland, Play Specialist for the Jenny Lind Children's Hospital, said, “Starlight’s Christmas Panto has become a highlight of the festive calendar for us and we really look forward to the arrival of Dick Whittington and his cat on the ward! Play and distraction can significantly help to reduce the amount of pain and anxiety children feel as they undergo treatment and Starlight’s Christmas Panto is a wonderful dose of festive fun for our young patients and their families.”

Ted James, who plays Dick Whittington, said, “Starlight gives poorly children a positive focus when they need it most and the charity’s Christmas Panto is a great way to entertain and distract children who are in hospital over the festive period. Dick Whittington is our best show yet and we hope that it helps to restore some of the magic of Christmas for the poorly children in the Jenny Lind Children's Hospital.”

Starlight’s Christmas Panto is just one way that Starlight brightens the lives of over half a million children in the UK every year. In addition to its hospital entertainment programme, Starlight also grants once-in-a-lifetime wishes to children of all ages to restore a little joy into their lives. In doing so, many happy memories are created for the children and their families, whatever the future holds.

The Cast:

Lauren Townley – Alice Fitzwarren
Ted James – Dick Whittington
Heather Foster – Kitty
James Quince – Blanche The Cook

Notes for editors

About Starlight Children’s Foundation:

To refer a child for a wish or to make a donation, please go online at www.starlight.org.uk. For every £1 you donate, 93p goes towards helping Starlight’s very ill children.

For more information, please contact Henny Vere Nicoll at henny@starlight.org.uk / 020 7262 2881 # 231.

Starlight grants once-in-a-lifetime wishes for seriously and terminally ill children, restoring the magic and fun of childhood and giving the whole family happy memories to share, whatever the future holds.

Starlight also creates entertainment in every hospital and hospice throughout the UK. Sick children go to Starlight parties, laugh their way through pantomimes, go out on Starlight Escapes, play games and watch films on the Starlight Fun Centre, and enjoy the toys and puzzles of the Starlight Distraction Box. Happy children respond better to treatment and Starlight helps children to forget about their illness and simply have a bit of fun.