Much-loved tradition returns to Wainfleet with panto Beauty and the Beast
For nearly 80 years, Wainfleet Theatre Club has been at the heart of the town’s social and cultural life – and the curtain is about to rise again on this year’s pantomime.
Formed shortly after the end of the Second World War, the club has grown into a much-loved local institution, bringing people together through music, drama and live theatre for generations.
This year, Wainfleet Theatre Club is thrilled to present Beauty and the Beast — a show they have staged only twice before in their long history. Audiences are invited to step into a magical world and follow Bella on her journey from her village home to an enchanted castle, where curses can be broken, friendships formed, and true love discovered.
Along the way, you’ll meet the fearsome yet lovable Beast, his wicked sister, a host of colourful characters, and of course the traditional, larger-than-life panto Dame.
With plenty of laughs, toe-tapping songs, and lively audience participation, this promises to be a spellbinding treat for the whole family.
As a registered charity, Wainfleet Theatre Club exists to promote and develop the performing arts through participation and public performance. Today, the club boasts a vibrant membership of around 20 people, with ages spanning an impressive seven decades — from enthusiastic teenagers to members who proudly prove that there is truly no upper age limit when it comes to theatre.
At showtime, this core group is joined by a wider team of dedicated associate members, all working behind the scenes to ensure each production is a success.
Over the decades, the club has staged many different forms of entertainment, but none has become quite as cherished as its annual pantomime. Since the early 1980s, pantomime has been a winter highlight for Wainfleet and the surrounding community, delighting audiences year after year. Apart from the unavoidable pause during the Covid-19 pandemic, this tradition has continued uninterrupted for around 45 years, making it a cornerstone of the local calendar.
Performances of Beauty and the Beast will take place at The Coronation Hall, 23 Barkham Street, Wainfleet, PE24 4DQ, on the following dates:
Saturday, January 31, – 2:30pm and 7:30pm
Friday, February 6 – 7:45pm
Saturday, February 7 – 2:30pm
Tickets are £9 each, with small children sitting on a lap admitted free. Tickets can be purchased online at
- www.ticketsource.co.uk/wainfleet-theatre-club
- from Wainfleet Pet Shop, 28 High Street, Wainfleet (01754 880235)
- or by scanning the QR code on the club’s Facebook page.
With nearly eight decades of history behind them and a passion for keeping live theatre alive in the community, Wainfleet Theatre Club invites everyone to come along, support local talent, and enjoy a truly magical pantomime experience this winter.