Children and families from Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice, near, Sheffield enjoyed a relaxed performance of Peter Pan, the panto at the Palace Theatre, Mansfield, this Christmas.

The theatre raises money for the hospice at its festive performances each year and has so far presented more than £28,000 over the past five years.

Relaxed performances are open to everyone, but the experience has been specifically adapted for children with an Autistic Spectrum condition, individuals with sensory and communication disorders, those with learning disabilities and anyone who would benefit from a more relaxed environment.

There is a relaxed attitude to noise, the lights in the auditorium remain on low throughout the show, sudden loud noises are softened and audience members are free to leave and re-enter the auditorium at any point.

Additional staff are on hand to assist with seating and access around the theatre and there is a chill-out room with bean bags and craft activities, for audience members who need a bit of quiet time before or during the performance.

Stepping into the limelight for the day was five-year-old Callum Edwards, from Rotherham, who visited along with his mum, dad, grandmother, sisters and cousin. Callum was born with complex health needs and has a tracheostomy tube fitted into a hole in the trachea of his neck. This allows him to breathe without using his mouth and nose. He and his family have received support from the hospice since he was 18 months old.

Community fundraiser Russell Hall said: “At the hospice, staff make sure that every child in their care feels happy, relaxed and stimulated. We surround everyone with love and laughter. It costs more than £4m to run Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice each year, providing support both at the hospice and in the community. We are so grateful to Mansfield Palace Theatre for allowing us to do bucket collections during panto season as it helps towards us making more memories for the 250 children we care for.”

Callum’s mother, Nadia, said: “Callum loved meeting the pantomime cast after the show, even though he struggled to understand why Peter Pan – his favourite character from one of his all-time favourite stories – was being played by a girl!

“Thank you to the staff at Mansfield Palace Theatre for making us feel so welcome; it was lovely to see so many children and young adults with additional needs enjoying the show in a safe space and being under no pressure to conform to the usual theatre rules of staying silent and still.”

Peter Pan stars Coronation Street’s Marc Baylis as Captain Hook, Nick Jr’s Holly Atterton as Tinker Bell and Jess Punch as the boy who never grew up.

Adam Moss, who is playing Hook’s silly sidekick, Smee, was full of praise for the specially arranged meet-and-greet session after the show, saying: “I got to know the volunteers from Bluebell Wood quite well in 2014 when I was last here for panto, so it’s great to see their familiar faces and the amazing work they continue to do for children in the local community and their families.

“For me, meeting people like Callum is why I get out of bed every morning and do the job I do – if I can make just one person smile each day with my performances, then it’s been a good day!”

Tickets for Peter Pan at Mansfield Palace Theatre are over 90% sold. The show runs until Saturday, 31 December. To check availability and book tickets, visit www.mansfieldpalace.co.uk or call 01623 633133.