December 5, 2022 7.56 pm
This story is over 11 months old
Pantomime villain steals The Drill’s festive Rapunzel banners
What a Scrooge!
Posters for The Drill's pantomime production of Rapunzel have been stolen, leaving the show's producer Jamie Marcus (left) and the venue's manager Craig Morrow (right), far from pleased. | Photo: The Drill
Two of The Drill’s advertising banners for its upcoming pantomime production of Rapunzel have been stolen by a Lincoln Scrooge, and there’s free tickets and a cash reward for anyone who can help get them back.
The annual Christmas pantomime held by The Drill, in association with Jamie Marcus Productions, will be returning to the Lincoln arts venue from Friday, December 9 until January 2.
The production will be Rapunzel, using modern elements of popular culture and intertwining them with the classic fairytale. Tickets are available for the show via The Drill website.
Anticipation is building for the show, but unfortunately not one but two vinyl banners promoting the pantomime have been stolen from across Lincoln.
The first was taken from the bridge at St Marks Shopping Centre, with the other stolen directly outside The Drill, and an appeal for information is now underway.
A male in a red baseball cap was seen on CCTV cutting the cable ties securing the banner to the railings at the front of The Drill at around 8.45pm on Sunday, November 20.
He removed the banner and walked down Freeschool Lane in the direction of the city centre, and further footage is being reviewed while the incident is reported to police.
The Drill and Jamie Marcus Productions Ltd are offering a cash reward of £50, as well as two tickets to panto and food vouchers at The Drill, for anyone who can provide information that leads to a positive prosecution.
Manager at The Drill, Craig Morrow said: “This sort of petty behaviour has a real financial impact on community arts venues such as ours – such a Scrooge-like thing to do!
“I honestly can’t see why anyone would feel threatened by a piece of advertising – unless they’re scared people will have too much fun at The Drill this Christmas.”
Jamie Marcus, producer of the upcoming show, said: “It’s such an odd occurrence – in twenty years of producing panto, and fifteen of those here at The Drill, I’ve never known any of our publicity to be stolen.
“If someone was going to steal anything you’d think it’d be a ticket to come and see the show! They’re selling like hotcakes so that I could understand, but a banner? Well, maybe ‘Lincoln’s best panto’ is even more popular than we realised!”
The Lincolnite welcomes your views. All comments are reactively-moderated and must obey the house rules. Please stay on topic and be respectful of other readers.
Residents, visitors, and traders have expressed their disappointment following the cancellation of the beloved Lincoln Christmas Market, on what would have been the inaugural day of this year’s four-day event.
Although the poor weather might have deterred some people, the city’s Bailgate area was notably quiet around 12pm on Thursday, typically the time the event usually opens its doors.
Although Lincoln’s famous Christmas Market is no more this year, and won’t be opening today, there are still alternative festive events happening in Lincoln.
City of Lincoln Council’s decision to cancel the 40-year-old event over safety concerns prompted backlash from people and business but, despite pleas from opposition members, its leaders would not change their stance.
There are, however, still some events in Lincoln to get you in the festive mood this week, including these highlights:
Christmas Market at County Assembly Rooms
The County Assembly Rooms in the Bailgate will still hold its own Christmas Market that it has done for many years.
Manager Gill Hunter said stallholders had already pre-booked and 70% still wanted to do it despite the cancellation of the city’s 40-year-old Christmas Market in uphill Lincoln.
There will be a range of festive stalls, food, drinks and performers when it opens at the following times:
Thursday, December 7 (4pm-9pm)
Friday, December 8 (10am-9pm)
Saturday, December 9 (10am-9pm)
Sunday, December 10 (10am-7pm)
This coincides with the free parking at selected city council car parks in uphill Lincoln on Thursday and Friday. This is available at these car parks: Westgate 1,2,3, St Pauls, Castle Hill, The Lawn, and Langworthgate
The bar at The County Assembly Rooms will be serving hot chocolate, festive sandwiches, alcoholic beverages and more. There will also be a brewery selling bottle ale and roasted hot chestnuts will also be available to buy.
Lincoln Castle Illuminated
Lincoln Castle Illuminated will run from Friday, December 8 until Saturday, December 23.
The Castle grounds will be bejewelled with festive lights and illuminated Christmas features. You can take a drip down Candy Cane Lane and also see the resident Castle dragons Lucy and Norman.
The Castle has retained its popular Illuminated Wall Walk, but the lift is currently out of action so it can only be accessed via the spiral staircase.
You can also board the ‘Mini Polar Express’ and enjoy traditional fairground rides.
In addition, there will be local vendors offering sweet treats and winter warmers, including hot chocolate and mulled wine.
Dog friendly evenings will take place on December 13 and 20.
The full Lincoln Castle Illuminated experience costs £11 for adults, £10 for concessions, £6 for children, and £28 for family tickets. Alternatively, you can choose to visit the grounds only for £3 per head (free for under 5s).
Festive fun at Lincoln Cathedral
Lincoln Cathedral will be hosting an array of festive events this month, including during what would have been the Christmas Market period.
Crafters market in the Cloisters – December 8 and 9 (10.30am-4.30pm)
Nativity Crafts – December 9 (10am-3.30pm)
London Concertante: Christmas at the Movies – December 9 (7.30pm). Ticket prices range from £33.99 to £47.72
‘After Hours’: Walking towards Christmas – December 10 (6.45pm)
Winter Market at Lincoln Museum
Lincoln Museum on Danes Terrace is holding a Winter Market on Saturday, December 9, which has been organised by Shelf Editions.
There will also be workshops to take part in including metal wreath (£45) and felt decoration (£15) making, which can be booked via the museum’s website.
For the younger visitors there is also a free drop-in Calendar wreath craft session with the Elbow Room Collective.
Entry to the market is free from 10am-4pm with the cafe serving a festive menu from 11am-3pm.
Lincoln Ice Trail
Lincoln Ice Trail will run from 10am-8pm on Saturday and Sunday, December 9 and 10.
There will be 20 Lincoln-themed ice sculptures to find – you can pick up a map of the trail from the Visitor Information Centre.
In addition, there will be festive entertainment, as well as live-ice carving demonstrations of the Cathedral.
The Travelling Historical Christmas Market
Although this event is next week, The Travelling Historical Christmas Market offers another festive alternative for people in Lincoln.
The free event will take place at St Mary le Wigford Church on St Mary’s Street between December 14 and 17 at the following times: