Local Knitters Volunteer To Create Sensory Aids For The Belgrade's Relaxed Pantomime Performance of SLEEPING BEAUTY

Following the success of its first ever relaxed panto performance last Christmas, the Belgrade Theatre is thrilled to be hosting a relaxed showing of this year's pantomime, Sleeping Beauty, at 2pm on Thursday 3 January.

Adapted to offer an open and welcoming environment for audience members who may enjoy or benefit from a more laid-back performance style, relaxed performances can be particularly helpful for people with autism, learning disabilities, dementia or sensory and communication disorders.

Ahead of the performance, the theatre issued a call-out for local knitters to make and donate twiddle muffs - sensory aids with bobbles, buttons and attachments that can be soothing for some people, and help to occupy restless hands.

Since the initial call-out on 24 October, the theatre has be overwhelmed by enthusiastic knitters volunteering to give up their time and wool to help others to enjoy the magic of Sleeping Beauty, with a total of 60 twiddle muffs having so far been donated.

As a thank you, the Belgrade invited everyone who expressed an interest in the initiative to take part in a festive knit-in at the theatre, complete with mince pies, hot drinks and a chance to meet the panto cast.

The knit-in was a huge success, with the actors leaving attendees in stitches. Princess Belle (Melissa Brown-Taylor) enjoyed an impromptu lesson from one eager knitter ready to get down to the knitty-gritty and share her purls of wisdom. Luckily, the yarn was all pre-prepared, so there wasn't a spinning wheel in sight!

Though not particularly close-knit, fairy sisters Azurial (Anna Mitcham) and Carabosse (Laura Judge) teamed up to try their hand at a spot of knitting. Finding a natural knitter can be like looking for a needle in a haystack, but the good fairy Azurial made everything look effortless. On the other hand, the less-than-impressed Carabosse seemed better suited to scheming with a knitted brow.

King Hugo (Declan Wilson) was particularly impressed with the fine quality of the finished twiddle muffs - there was certainly no knit-picking to be seen from him!

Meanwhile, Nanny McWheeze (Iain Lauchlan) spent much of her time telling the knitters a few ripping yarns of her own, and resident knit-wit Muddles the Jester (Craig Hollingsworth) found an enormous twiddle muff that he thought might just about be big enough for him to fit inside!

Unfortunately, it turned out he'd really had the wool pulled over his eyes...

Attendees of the knit-in included the members of a new knitting and needlework group, A Stitch in Time, which will be meeting regularly at the theatre from 10 January. Sessions will be free to attend, and will run from 1-3pm every Thursday. Those interested in getting involved can find our more from the A Stitch in Time - Needlework for Wellbeing Facebook page, or simply show up on the day.

Don't get caught wool-gathering during the relaxed performance of Sleeping Beauty at 2pm on Thursday 3 January 2019. Tickets are available by calling the box office on 024 7655 3055, or visiting www.belgrade.co.uk where prices are even cheaper.