Covid was responsible for introducing me to the drive-in. I was instantly hooked, I even wrote at the time that if any of the Covid related live entertainment workarounds were to remain after the pandemic I hoped it would be the drive-in.
To my delight, Horrible Christmas is back again this year. Stopping off in our region at Duxford and Chelmsford. So, after the fun we had last year at Duxford we have no hesitation in going again.
I was not alone in enjoying these shows. The 2020 tour sold out with something like thirty-five thousand people experiencing this unusual cultural marriage: the very American drive-in and the quintessentially British Pantomime. You might think that a panto, being such an immersive theatre experience, wouldn’t work from the comfort of your own car. Well, let me assure you – OH YES IT DOES!
The storyline, as with all panto productions, is irrelevant. It is but a gossamer thin vehicle linking a series of sketches and songs which provide excuses for the cast of Birmingham Stage Company to indulge the audience in participation. The show is broadcast to your car radio so you have complete control over the volume and the enormous digital screen above the stage means you will not miss any of the live action.
But the most blindingly obvious plus point about a drive-in panto is parking! Not having to work out in advance where to park and then take out a small loan to cover the cost is a significant plus in my book.
Nor do you need to worry if the bar stocks the driver’s favourite alcohol-free intermission tipple, it is down to you to pack that in the boot, or trunk as they call them at a drive-in. Indeed, we packed so much last year we could easily have shared our stash with neighbouring vehicles – alas Covid restrictions prevented this. One teeny weeny downside: I am still picking up wrapped sweets from crevices beneath seats – one particularly funny double entendre tickled our collective fancy, such that, a full tin of Quality Street erupted!
You can of course just turn up, sit, enjoy and go home. But seasoned panto goers know that joining in is part of the fun and this format opens up new avenues of participation. In the true spirit of the occasion last year, we had decorated the inside of the car. A small Christmas tree adorned the dashboard, tinsel strung across headrests and fairy lights around the windshield – no, of course they weren’t turned on when we were driving! This year we are going one step further… reflective, magnetic baubles on the doors and antlers sticking out from the windows. One of our number may even dress up as an elf, in a bid to win the pre-show in-car selfie competition!
On a more serious note, if you still have concerns about mixing in large crowds then this is a perfectly safe way to enjoy some festive entertainment secure in your own motorized bubble. Where no-one can hear how badly you sing or how often you forget the words to the simplest of choruses!
You can catch Horrible Christmas here:
- Friday 17th December – Chelmsford City Racecourse
- Saturday 18th December & Sunday 19th December – IWM Duxford
- Tuesday 21st December – Cheltenham Racecourse
- Wednesday 22nd & Thursday 23rd December – Cardiff Airport
- Friday 24th December – Southampton Airport
- Sunday 26th – Newark Showground
- Monday 27th – Mallory Park
- Tuesday 28th December – Montgomery Waters Meadow, Shrewsbury
- Wednesday 29th & Thursday 30th December – AJ Bell Stadium, Manchester
- Friday 31st December – Crewe Alexandra Football Club
- Sunday 2nd January – Elvington Airfield, York
- Monday 3rd January – Redcar Racecourse
