A classic movie, lots of presents, and way too much food. That’s what Christmas means to me. But all too often I forget what it’s really about. The gift of giving. Instead of overstocking on cranberry sauce because the supermarket is going to be closed for *checks notes* one day. Why not help someone who really needs it this festive season?
To coincide with the first two weeks of its new pantomime, ‘Jack and the Beanstalk’, Bristol Hippodrome is running a ‘Festive Food Drive’. From December 6 to 20, it will be taking donations for one of our Charity Partners, InHope, a local charity dedicated to helping people in crisis.
Back in September 2024, Bristol Hippodrome hosted a food drive during the show ‘Come From Away’, and received over 1,000 different items, which equated to 189 meals, toiletries and snacks. It’s hoping for another positive response this Christmas and that the donations will make a real difference to those in need.
What can I donate?
Bristol Hippodrome is asking people to bring non-perishable food items. This can range from soups, rice, long-life fruit juice and even things like Pot Noodles to deodorant, shower gel and shampoo. You can drop them all at a collection point in the Box Office (which will be open 90 minutes before performances begin).
What about ‘Jack and the Beanstalk’?
You know the story: Jack sells his cow, climbs up a beanstalk, outwits an evil giant, and wins his riches. What you might not know is that pop icon Will Young makes his pantomime debut as the Spirit of the Beans in this family-friendly production of ‘Jack and the Beanstalk’.
Joining him is multi-award-winning TV and theatre star Charlie Brooks as the Giant’s wife, children’s TV favourite Richard Cadell as Silly Simon (accompanied by Sooty!), returning Bristol panto favourite Andy Ford as Farmer Trot, and Benjamin Yates and Ashlyn Weekes as Jack Trot and Princess Jill.
‘Jack and the Beanstalk’ will perform at Bristol Hippodrome from Saturday, December 6, 2025, to Wednesday, January 4, 2026. To get your tickets, head here.