A round-up of some of the group-friendly pantomimes taking place across the festive season and where you can see them.
Robin Hood
Robin Hood, starring EastEnders and Detectorists favourite Lucy Benjamin, alongside veteran Dame Peter Gordon, runs from 30th November to 5th January at the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre in Surrey (pictured above), and will be brimming with slapstick, slosh and silliness that’s guaranteed to hit the spot. Groups of ten and above save money on certain performances and can pre-arrange ice-creams, dining or drinks.
Once again, the London Palladium will host an array of big names for its annual panto. Among the line-up for Robin Hood, which runs from 7th December until 12th January, are TV presenter Jane McDonald as Maid Marion, Julian Clary as Robin Hood, plus appearances from stars Paul Zerdin, Nigel Havers, Charlie Stemp and Rob Madge.
Peter Pan
Milton Keynes Theatre has announced that Strictly judge and musical theatre star Craig Revel Horwood will lead this year’s panto as Captain Hook in Peter Pan from 6th December until 5th January. Audiences can expect fab-u-lous special effects and glitzy costumes.
At Birmingham Hippodrome, This Morning’s Alison Hammond will tread the boards as The Magical Mermaid in Peter Pan from 21st December until 2nd February, promising fun and laughter for all ages. She is joined by award-winning comic Matt Slack who returns for his 11th season at the venue, which is said to be Britain’s biggest regional theatre.
Aladdin
BBC Radio 2 host Vernon Kay will return to panto land at Wycombe Swan in Aladdin from 13th December until 5th January. He will join panto favourite La Voix on stage, with more casting to be announced.
A magic carpet ride awaits at Fairfield Halls in Croydon as Davood Ghadami, best-known for his role as Kush Kazemi in EastEnders, will become the even Abanazar as he seeks to become the master of the world from 16th December until 7th January. Children’s television presenter Kiera Nicole will star as Jasmine alongside panto favourite Charlie Guest.
Beauty and the Beast
Dani Harmer, who is best known for playing children’s TV rebel Tracey Beaker, will star as Fairy Bon Bon in Beauty and the Beast at Grand Opera House York. She is joined by comedian Phil Reid as Louis La Plonk, plus musical theatre stars Leon Craig as the Dame and Phil Atkinson as the dastardly Hugo Pompidou.
Dick Whittington
Olivier Award-winner Clive Rowe will return to direct and star in Hackney Empire’s Dick Whittington and his Cat. The show runs from 23rd November - 5th January, with Rowe making his 17th appearance as the Dame. Portsmouth’s Kings Theatre will also host Dick Whittington from 29th November - 31st December, starring EastEnders star Lorraine Stanley.
Snow White
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs will play at Fairfield Halls in the Ashcroft Theatre from 13th December until 5th January in Croydon. EastEnders and Casualty star Kellie Shirley will take on the role of the Wicked Queen. If it’s Snow White you’re after, Dr Ranj will play The Man in the Mirror and Gareth Gates will play The Prince at Churchill Theatre in Bromley from 7th December until 5th January.
Jack and the Beanstalk
Radio favourite Scott Mills will join Kev Johns and Matt Edwards in Swansea Grand’s Jack and the Beanstalk from 7th December until 5th January. Mills served as one of the longest standing presenters on BBC Radio 1 and will bring plenty of comedy to the show, which is said to include ground-breaking digital sets to help tell the story.
Cinderella
Comedian Jason Manford is back for a third year at Manchester’s Opera House as Prince Charming in Cinderella. Packed with all the traditional pantomime ingredients Manchester audiences expect, Cinderella features laugh-out-loud comedy, stunning scenery, beautiful costumes and plenty of boos and hisses. Panto favourite Ben Nickless also returns as Buttons alongside Myra DuBois as the Wicked Stepmother.
