Best 2023 pantos in Surrey & SW London
Now a mainstay of the festive season, ‘pantomime’ as a concept actually dates back to the 16th century and the Italian tradition of commedia dell’arte, with its stock characters such as Harlequin and Columbine.
Having reached its zenith in the 1960s and 70s, when such household names as Sir Cliff Richard, Sir Bruce Forsyth and Morecambe & Wise all trod the boards, panto is now increasingly high-tech. Many UK venues put on truly lavish productions. Including here in Surrey and South West London. In playhouse and village hall alike, the time for seasonal shenanigans draws near...
Dick Whittington
- Richmond Theatre
- Dec 9-Jan 7
- From £13; atgtickets.com
It’s Dick Whittington at Richmond Theatre, where Have I Got News for You star Paul Merton will be ruling the roost as Sarah the Cook. It is packed with all the traditional pantomime ingredients Richmond audiences know to expect - generous discounts for groups and concessions.
⭐⭐⭐ - Read our review.
Cinderella
- New Wimbledon Theatre
- Dec 9-Jan 7
- From £13; atgtickets.com
Strictly villain Craig Revel Horwood graces the New Wimbledon stage. Expect an a-maz-ing performance as the Wicked Stepmother alongside magician Pete Firman in Cinderella. Also starring Britain’s Got Talent semi-finalist and Olivier-nominated actress Alison Jiear as the Fairy Godmother… And the show-stopping Daniel Norford as Dandini, who has taken the theatre world by storm in credits including The Welkin, All of Us, and Small Island (National Theatre).
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Read our review.
Peter Pan
- New Victoria Theatre, Woking
- Dec 8-Jan 7
- From £13; atgtickets.com
Join Peter Pan and the characters you know and love this Christmas in this swashbuckling pantomime adventure. Fellow Strictly judge Anton Du Beke heads for the New Victoria, Woking to play Smee in a jolly retelling of the JM Barrie classic, Peter Pan. Peter Pan will also star Nigel Ellacott as Mrs Smee, Bob Harms as Captain Hook, Georgia Brierley-Smith as Tink and Chloe Riley as Wendy. Read our interview with Anton here.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Read our review.
Jack and the Beanstalk
- The OSO Arts Centre, Barnes
- Dec 9-23
- Details of both at: osoarts.org.uk
Laugh, shout and sing yourself silly this Christmas at a panto classic reimagined, brought to you by the team behind Cinderella, Peter Pan and Rapunzel. The OSO Arts Centre in Barnes has Jack and the Beanstalk (Dec 9-23), complete with an ‘After Dark’ version (Dec 15- 22) strictly for older theatregoers.
Cinderella
- Camberley Theatre
- Dec 9-31
- From £21 (opening night only)
- Details camberleytheatre.co.uk
A magical new production of the timeless story Cinderella promising a “jukebox” full of songs comes to Camberley Theatre for a festive family show this Christmas. Will Cinderella be able to escape her cruel family for a chance of one night of fun and maybe find love along the way?
Dick Whittington
- Esher Theatre
- Dec 7-Jan 6; from £22.50
- Details eshertheatre.com
80s singing star Sinitta tops the bill at Esher Theatre in its production of Dick Whittington. Psychic Sally Morgan is Fairy Bow Bells. For group bookings, please get in touch with info@eshertheatre.com.
The Wizard of Oz
- Epsom Playhouse
- Dec 15-Jan 1; from £22.50
- Details epsomplayhouse.co.uk
Join Dorothy as she begins her adventure into the wonderful land of Oz. Helped along the way by Lion, Tin Man and Scarecrow. A show filled with excitement, laughter and the usual panto magic. Journey with Dorothy as she remembers ‘There’s no place like home‘ in this year’s magical Christmas panto.
Cinderella
- Dec 2-Jan 7; from £24
- Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford
- Details yvonne-arnaud.co.uk
Co-founder of Guildford Shakespeare Company, Matt Pinches, plays Ugly Stepsister Louise to Guildford panto stalwart Peter Gordon’s Thelma in the Yvonne Arnaud production of Cinderella. Also starring CBeebies favourite James Merry.
Cinderella
- The Lyric Theatre, Hammersmith
- Nov 18-Jan 6; from £10
- Details lyric.co.uk
The Lyric Theatre in Hammersmith is also staging Cinderella this year, but our heroine is no fireside sweeper – she’s a bona fide boss lady with her own business in Shepherd’s Bush Market! How exactly will the hapless prince go about winning her hand? The Queen of Panto herself, award-winning writer and composer Vikki Stone brings her outrageous adaptation of Cinderella, full to the brim with sass and magic, rip-roaring comedy, live music and chart-topping hits.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Read our review.
Jack and The Beanstalk
- Cecil Hepworth Playhouse, Walton-on-Thames
- Nov 15-18; from £15
- Details moleseymusicaltheatre.com
Jack and The Beanstalk is this year’s family panto at the Cecil Hepworth Playhouse, Walton-on-Thames.
Beauty and the Beast
- Harlequin Theatre, Redhill
- Dec 8-31; from £16
- Details harlequintheatre.co.uk
And it’s Beauty and the Beast at the Harlequin Theatre, where Redhill doubles as Populaire Sur la Mare for this traditional romp. Redhill’s favourite Dame, Simon Bashford, returns as Dame Cheri Trifle alongside Phil Reid, back by popular demand. CBeebies presenter Joanna Adeyinka-Burford and children’s TV legend Dave Benson Phillips join Neighbours’ Colette Mann to round out their spectacular panto cast.
