Surrey and SW London's Pantos and Christmas shows 2017

As the festive season approaches and we start to dig out our winter coats, many of us will be asking ‘Where’s the best pantomime in Surrey and South West London this Christmas?’ It’s behind you! Well, actually, it isn’t – it’s in the list below

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Ian Stratton

David Myers and the cast of The Harlequin Theatre's panto, Peter Pan

There is something so wonderfully odd and British about a good pantomime. I remember trying to explain the concept to a gent from Denmark while I was backpacking around Australia: "So basically, a group of D-C list celebrities who are desperately trying to stay famous dress up in completely over the top drag and have slogans shouted at them by families, all while making smutty jokes and performing musical numbers." You could have done algebra with the man's look of nonplussed confusion, and it took me a full week of corroboration from other British backpackers before he accepted that I wasn't making the whole thing up to take the mick. He finally conceded that I was telling the truth with the wonderful Australianism: "You Poms are bloody weird you know." 

While that may well be the case, in my personal opinion pantomimes, like Christmas pudding and Brussels sprouts, are an admittedly questionable but undoubtedly indispensable staple of the festive period. Fortunately for those who are of the same persuasion, there's a cornucopia of different pantos and Christmas shows around Surrey and SW London during the build up to Christmas – from traditional 'He's behind you' pantomimes starring the likes of Basil Brush, Al Murray and Christopher Biggins, to outdoor nativity plays and even festive ballet; there's something for everyone...