The Riverfront Theatre & Arts Centre is proud to announce that Rapunzel has officially become its best-selling pantomime in the venue’s history, surpassing the previous record set by Beauty and the Beast in 2023.
With over 27,000 tickets sold, including an outstanding 13,000 pupils and staff attending school performances, Rapunzel has captured the hearts of audiences and reaffirmed pantomime as one of Newport’s most cherished festive traditions. Audiences have travelled from across the country to experience the magic, making Rapunzel a true national celebration of family theatre.
The production has received glowing reviews throughout its run, praised for its laugh-out-loud comedy, spectacular staging, and heartfelt storytelling. A particularly special milestone was reached this season as Richard Elis celebrated his 800th pantomime performance, an extraordinary achievement that highlights his long-standing contribution to pantomime and his enduring popularity with audiences of all ages.
The record-breaking success comes during a landmark year for the venue, as The Riverfront celebrates 20 years of pantomime magic with Rapunzel as its 20th production. Since opening in 2004 with Aladdin, The Riverfront has welcomed generations of families, schools, and first-time theatre-goers through its doors, making pantomime a cornerstone of its cultural identity, and introducing countless young people to live theatre for the very first time.
“Seeing Rapunzel become our best-selling pantomime ever is an incredible achievement,” said Jamie Anderson, Creative Development Manager at The Riverfront Theatre & Arts Centre, and Producer of Rapunzel. “The response from audiences, schools, and families has been incredible. It takes a huge team to create a brand-new pantomime of this scale, and this success belongs to every single person who helped bring Rapunzel to the stage.”
Building on this phenomenal success, The Riverfront is already looking ahead to its next festive adventure. Cinderella will return to the stage from 27 Nov 2026 – 31 Dec 2026, with over 10,000 tickets already booked.
Rapunzel’s final curtain falls on Sunday 4 January. With just a handful of performances remaining, don’t miss the final opportunity to see the show as it continues Newport’s most magical festive tradition.
Book your tickets at newportlive.co.uk/rapunzel
