Stars of Bristol Hippodrome pantomime visit young patients in hospital
Posted on: 19 Dec 2019Earlier this week, the cast of The Bristol Hippodrome’s 2019 pantomime Dick Whittington made a surprise visit to young patients at the Bristol Royal Hospital for Children.
On Tuesday 17 December, former EastEnders actor Shane Richie and co-stars Jennie Dale, Peter Piper and David O’Reilly visited the hospital, dressed in full, dazzling costume.
A chance to meet young people facing the possibility of being in hospital during the Christmas period, the visit took place on the hospital’s Caterpillar and Penguin Wards.
On their visit, the stars met Lauren and Alfie, who have been at the hospital with their daughter Evie since March:
“We’re going to be here over Christmas and into next year,” Lauren said.
“So it was brilliant to meet the cast today - not just for me, Alfie and Evie but for all the amazing staff who have looked after us so well for the last nine months.”
Upon visiting the hospital, Shane said: “Christmas is all about families.”
“As these children are unfortunately in hospital this Christmas and cannot come to see us in Dick Whittington with their families, it’s our pleasure to come and see them instead.”
Dick Whittington, which is running at the Bristol Hippodrome until Sunday 5 January, has received rave reviews since its premiere.
Set in London, the pantomime depicts the age-old story of the life and times of Dick Whittington; a poverty-stricken Englishman who travels from Lancashire to the big city, in the hope of securing his fortune.
Can he outwit the evil Queen Rat, free London from her rodent hoards and win the hand of the beautiful Alice?
Limited tickets for Dick Whittington at the Bristol Hippodrome are still available. Get yours here.
This week's visit was organised in partnership with Wallace & Gromit’s Grand Appeal, the Bristol Children’s Hospital Charity.
Wallace & Gromit’s Grand Appeal funds cutting edge equipment, research and development facilities at the Bristol Royal Hospital for Children, alongside a programme of arts, music and play.
It also runs two family accommodation facilities, which give parents of critically ill children a home-from-home while their child is in hospital, and operates a family support programme.
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