Sat Dec 13 00:17:00 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary and a news article based on the provided text:
Summary:
The Little Theatre in Chennai premiered its 29th Christmas Pantomime, “How To Sway Your Dragon,” at the Museum Theatre in Egmore. Directed by Krishnakumar Balasubramanian, the panto promises a classic tale of good versus evil with music and whimsical characters. Funds raised will primarily support hospital clowning initiatives at the Kanchi Kamakoti Childs Trust Hospital, making it the first in the country with a dedicated team visiting twice a week. The initiative aims to bring joy and therapeutic play to young patients, their caregivers, and hospital staff, particularly those undergoing cancer treatment and pre-surgery care. The Little Theatre also supports artists by offering work opportunities through the clowning program.
News Article:
Chennai’s Little Theatre Brings Holiday Cheer and Healing with “How To Sway Your Dragon”
Chennai, India – December 13, 2025 – The Little Theatre kicked off its 29th annual Christmas Pantomime, “How To Sway Your Dragon,” at the Museum Theatre in Egmore, Chennai, on Friday. The performance, directed by Krishnakumar Balasubramanian (KK), promises a whimsical and musical take on a classic panto story, complete with dragons, demons, and a guaranteed triumph of good over evil.
Beyond the entertainment, the production serves a vital philanthropic purpose. Proceeds from the pantomime, which runs until December 18th, will primarily support hospital clowning initiatives at the Kanchi Kamakoti Childs Trust Hospital in Nungambakkam.
“To begin with, there will be about a hundred children from underprivileged backgrounds in the audience to watch and enjoy the panto. The project that we will be funding is the hospital clown initiative,” says Aysha Rau, Managing Trustee at the Little Theatre Trust.
The initiative will make the hospital the first in India to have a dedicated hospital clowning team visiting twice weekly. These “hospital clowns” will bring joy and therapeutic play to various wards, including those with cancer patients and children undergoing pre-surgery procedures.
“Hospital clowning brings control back to the patients, and we use distraction therapy and play especially for the children there,” explains Rohini Rau, CEO of The Little Theatre. She added that the program would also provide much-needed work opportunities for artists, solidifying The Little Theatre’s commitment to both the community’s well-being and the arts.
First Piper 