Banburyshire panto business set to launch new children's TV show

Smarty & Silly hosting Pants Science - an interactive science class with the pants pirates as part of the new TV show called 'The Panto Fun Bus'

The Panto Bus, a small business based in Middleton Cheney, run by husband and wife partners Simon and Suzy Lowe, has modified it's business model due to the coronavirus lockdown.

The couple, Simon and Suzy, have been operating in the touring theatre and entertainment industry successfully for more than seven years as a business and as individuals nearly 20 years. The Panto Bus is the home of touring theatre shows, pantomime for schools programmes and other threatre production shows.

Simon said: "The Covid-19 issue has completely wiped out the entire live entertainment industry and our business model, which relies heavily on us delivering pantomime and production shows to schools, hospitals and theatres literally worldwide.

"We face the very real prospect of going out of business... . We have dug deep, looked at the resources we have to hand such as scenery, costume and very talented co-workers and we’re having a go at something new.

"We’re taking all the fun of pantomime and fairytales, the stories, the characters, comedy and fun and wrapping it up in our own brand new tv show called ‘The Panto Bus Fun Shop’

"It will be bright, colourful and entertaining, we hope, for the whole family and will be streamed free of charge on our YouTube channel ‘The Panto Bus'."

The first episode will be released on Saturday June 6. There will be 24 episodes in the first series.

Wishee Washee, a character from The Panto Bus Fun Shop TV show launched by a Middleton Cheney couple

The series will include such segments as 'Fitzwarrens Fun Facts', 'Cooking With Cookie', 'Wishee Washee's Magic & Illusion Show' and 'Smarty & Silly Pants Science' among others.

For more information see The Panto Bus website here: http://www.thepantobus.com/ or its Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ThePantoBusSimon added: "We have also created our very own super hero for the series.

"He will have mini adventures within the show as he and his sidekick fight to help protect the children of planet earth from the dastardly villain ‘Covid’ and his sidekicks ‘1’ and ‘9’.

"He will teach the children how to keep safe and protect themselves in the best ways such as ‘washing hands’ and ‘social distancing’.

"Our hope is that we can reduce the fear side of it for the children whilst helping them adjust and understand the importance of following the new rules in a fun and memorable way through new catchy songs and delivery that is more on their level.

"It is also, we hope a good way for us to rebrand ourselves, stay current and present until we are able to tour and deliver live shows again."