Pantomime theater — panto for short — is one of Britain’s great festive traditions, up there with mince pies and the queen’s speech. The shows are often loosely based around fairy tales, such as “Cinderella” or “Sleeping Beauty,” with songs and snappy repartee. The pandemic has had a devastating impact on British theaters, with many remaining dark. Five days later, the show was closed as rising coronavirus cases led to a wave of new restrictions in London. Many more are live-streaming Christmas or panto shows online, including venerable venues like the National Theatre and Old Vic.

Source: Washington Post December 20, 2020 11:00 UTC