Horrible Histories returns to Newark Showground on Boxing Day with their carpark panto Horrible Christmas

A Christmas pantomime with a difference is returning to Newark after its sell-out success last year.

Horrible Histories’ Horrible Christmas, the world’s first drive-in pantomime, is back for its second year at Newark Showground.

It will offer a Boxing Day treat for families with two performances, at 2pm and 5pm.

Once again, it is offering pantomime fun in a covid-safe environment.

Last year’s Horrible Christmas show soon sold-out and an extra performance was added, which was also fully booked.

With tales of Victorian villains and Medieval monks, the panto is an adventure through the history of Christmas with Charles Dickens, Oliver Cromwell, King Henry VIII and St Nicholas joining forces to save the festive season.

Car Park Panto, by Birmingham Stage Company and Coalition Presents, was created in 2020 to allow the magic of Christmas to live on despite theatre closures.

Last year’s sold-out tour brought festive cheer to over 17,000 families and was a fun-filled opportunity for the whole family are to jump and down in their seats, cheer and beep their horns, all from the comfort of their own car.

Neal Foster, actor and manager at Birmingham Stage Company said: “We were amazed and thrilled how totally successful the Car Park Party productions proved to be during the last 18 months ­— and we’re delighted to be back on tour again with our Horrible Histories production of Horrible Christmas.

“It turns live theatre into a truly unique and festive event.”

The Car Park Panto organiser is also aiming to make live theatre more inclusive, with the price of ticket covering the car rather than the number of individuals attending the performances.