Opening Nite Theatre is presenting its annual Christmas Panto online. / Submitted Photo

Mission theatre group presenting a virtual pantomime

Opening Nite Theatre's annual performance available to purchase online

Mission’s Opening Nite Theatre Society is preparing to release their first straight-to-video play on Saturday, Dec. 19.

ONTS’s annual Christmas Pantomime has become a family tradition for many, and the group decided not to let a pandemic end that tradition.

The theatre group, which is run entirely by volunteers, has spent the fall filming and editing a full-length digital version of its annual play.

While many groups have been selling tickets to virtual events which run for a limited time, Opening Nite will be offering the show to rent or buy on their website, openingnitetheatre.com, so that viewers can watch it any time.

Also for sale on the website are stickers, tattoos, t-shirts and Panto Party Packs, so that families can cheer on Fairy Nice and Fairy Naughty from their living rooms. The online shop and box office will be open through January.

Opening Nite Theatre usually does four shows a year, but with COVID restrictions, have had to scale back. The group is trying to raise enough money to keep the rent paid and the lights on during this unprecedented time.

Mission City Record