Presenting our virtual pantomime celebrating kindness and teamwork
4 December 2020
- Specially created pantomime ‘Sisterhood in the Wood’ spreads message of goodwill to all young people and their families this festive season
- Girlguiding is bringing people together virtually to create a moment for all to enjoy with their family and friends - in a year when many of the usual seasonal celebrations are cancelled
Girlguiding, the UK’s leading charity for girls and young women has partnered with children’s theatre company Join the Dots to launch its first virtual pantomime ‘Sisterhood in the Wood’ this weekend.
The free online performance, which includes up to 30 Rainbows, Brownies, Guides and Rangers in cameo roles, tells a tale of excitement, fun and friendship with core themes of kindness and of appreciating the small things in life.
The show, which goes live at 4pm on Saturday 5 December is open to everyone to enjoy. It tells the story of two girls Red and Goldie, who find themselves magically transported into a forest where they must learn how to be kind to one another and appreciate their surroundings. Through their experience they learn about determination, resilience and working together from some wonderful Girlguiding girls!
Girlguiding is bringing the full festive pantomime experience virtually to all this year, complete with songs, dancing, and a special surprise fairy godmother appearance. There will also be fun panto inspired activities to try out at home before the show, as part of the charity’s Adventures at Home offering launched in response to the pandemic and lockdown. In a year when there has been so much uncertainty ‘Sisterhood in the Wood’ tells an uplifting story for girls and young women, sending a message of hope for 2021.
A new ‘Sisterhood in the Wood’ badge can also be purchased for £1, to accompany the first virtual pantomime in Girlguiding history.
The role guiding plays in supporting girls’ and young women’s mental health and wellbeing has been increasingly important throughout 2020 where research has highlighted the impact Covid-19 has had on the declining levels of happiness in girls across the UK. Girlguiding has been keeping members connected with weekly unit meetings delivering ‘virtual guiding’, offering support and allowing hundreds of thousands of girls to continue to keep in touch with their friends, have fun and learn new skills.
Zara, aged 8, from 1st Oadby St Peters Brownies in Leicestershire said: “I am very excited to be taking part in the pantomime. This year has been very different because of COVID-19 but we meet weekly online and I have really enjoyed learning new skills like woodwork and line dancing.”
Amrit aged 9 of 1st Alwoodley Brownie Unit in the Greenvale Division, Leeds said; “I am very excited to be taking part in my first Brownie pantomime. I joined in September, so all our meetings have been online, but it has been great getting to know the other Brownies, learning different skills and taking part in the different challenges each week. It has kept me feeling connected to my new friends”
Amanda Medler, Girlguiding’s Chief Guide added:“After what has been an incredibly challenging year for everyone, and with many of our much loved traditions cancelled, we are really excited to be able to bring some festive cheer into the homes of young people and their families.
“Girlguiding has supported girls & young women throughout the year, offering virtual guiding to keep connected, continue having fun, learn new skills and keep in touch with their friends. This sense of community, alongside fun activities directly impacts mental health and wellbeing, so we will continue offering this support to all girls and volunteers in whatever ways are possible within their local restrictions.”
Holly Meechan, Co-Artistic Director at Join the Dots said: "We are delighted to be partnering with Girlguiding on this exciting project. Whilst embracing this digital form we wanted to still hang on to the traditional elements of a pantomime that everyone knows and loves. Comedy, audience interaction and singalong songs all give a ‘live experience’ feel to the show, though in fact recorded over several weeks. Connection with our audience is very much at the heart of what we do as a company and we have involved the Girlguiding community throughout the process. We wanted to create a show not only for them, but with them. We hope that SisterHood in the Wood will be a unique and fun event, truly for everyone. We can’t wait to bring the show, from our homes to theirs, on December 5!"
To watch Sisterhood in the Wood tune in live at 4pm on Saturday 5 December on https://www.girlguiding.org.uk/ or via Girlguiding’s YouTube channel. The show will be available for three months to enjoy again.
To purchase the new Sisterhood in the Wood badge please visit Girlguiding’s online shop.
Girlguiding, powered by 100,000 dedicated volunteers, supports the wellbeing of nearly 400,000 girls and young women all over the UK. It helps to build their resilience and offers fun and entertaining activities, needed now more than ever during this unprecedented time to support mental health.
Research shows the impact of Covid-19 is exacerbating the existing trend of declining happiness of girls across the UK. Enabling youth groups to carry on meeting virtually or face to face when restrictions allow offers crucial support for many young people who are struggling.