For me, there's no better way to kick off the festive period with a good pantomime or play! And no matter how old I get, doesn't stop me from enjoying a good pantomime, or two! It's been a tradition for years. So, if like me, a good show is your guilty pleasure then scroll for the best below...
1. Hansel & Gretel
Venue: Rose Theatre, Kingston
Dates: Dec 6 – Jan 6, performance times vary
Tickets: From £15 for preview nights and from £20 otherwise
A festive twist on the classic fairytale, with all the bits you know and remember from the story but with an extra festive touch. Brimming with humour and terrific songs, join Hansel and Gretel as they battle magical beasts in a race to save their town from the witch’s curse.
Recommended for ages 5yrs+
2. Frozen
Venue: Rose Theatre, Kingston
Film length: 1 hour and 50 minutes
Dates & Times: 17th December, 11 am
Tickets: £8
Sing along to the Disney classic, back on screens for one day only. Join Anna as she sets off on an epic journey with rugged mountain man Kristoff and a snowman named Olaf to find her sister Elsa, whose icy powers have trapped the kingdom of Arendelle in eternal winter.
3. The Christmas Crocodile
Venue: Arthur Cotterell Theatre, Kingston
Dates & Times: 11-15 December at 10.30am & 1.30pm each day, with an extra showing at 4 pm on the 15th
Tickets: From £9.50, recommended for children aged 3-7
A seemingly unlikely combination, the Christmas Crocodile is based on true events of women post World War I creating crocodile toys in Kingston with leftover materials. Set around Christmastime the show enhances the Christmastime magic, and you may just see one of the toys come to life…
4. Cinderella And The Beanstalk
Venue: Theatre 503, Battersea
Dates & Times: 5-31 December
Tickets: From £12
Two timeless fairytales in one, this all-female panto written by Sleeping Trees promises twists and turns you won’t expect.
5. Robin Hood
Venue: Putney Arts Theatre
Dates & Opening Times: 13-22 December, times vary
Tickets: From £8
Can brave Robin and plucky Maid Marion save the day? Last year’s panto sold out so book early to find out what happens to the intrepid heroes.
6. Aladdin
Venue: New Wimbledon Theatre
Dates & Opening Times: 8th December 2018 - 6th January 2019
Tickets: From £12
Paul Merton leading the cast as Widow Twankey is joined by Lee Ryan as Aladdin and Pete Firman as Magician.
7. Silent Night
Venue: Holly Barn, Wintershall Estate, Surrey
Dates & Opening Times: 12-16 December, times vary
Tickets: £18 (adult); £9 (children); £50 (family of four)
Experience the Christmas story live at The Wintershall Nativity Play. The critically acclaimed production is presented both outdoors, in the rolling landscape of the Wintershall Estate in Surrey, as well as inside the intimate surroundings of Holly Barn. Over 50 volunteer cast, assisted by a full complement of sheep, donkeys, horses and a sheepdog take the audience on foot from the chill open air into the atmospheric, candle-lit barn, as the story of how Jesus changed the world unfolds with songs and music and joyful carolling.
8. Cinderella
Venue: Yvonne Arnaud's Theatre, Guildford
Dates & Opening Times: 7th December - 6th January, times vary
Tickets: From £22
Former EastEnder Michelle Gayle stars as the Fairy Godmother in the Yvonne Arnaud’s produCinderellainderalla. Once again featuring the talents of Kit Hesketh Harvey and Eagle Radio favourite Peter Gordon, this is sure to be a traditional family pantomime of the highest order.
9. Sleeping Beauty
Venue: Camberley Theatre
Dates & Opening Times: 10-31 December, times vary
Tickets: From £11.50
The wonderful lot over at the Camberley Theatre is staging a brand new version of the classic fairy tale Sleeping Beauty. The emphasis is very much on song and dance as the goodies do battle with the evil fairy to save the snoozing princess. Great fun and great value too!
10. Cinderella
Venue: New Victoria Theatre, Woking
Dates & Opening Times: 7th December 2018 - 6th January 2019, times vary
Tickets: £34.50 (concessions available)
Well, this is it – the big one… Strictly’s Mr Nasty is sure to turn in a show-stopping performance as the Wicked Stepmother at Woking’s New Victoria Theatre. Yes, Craig Revel Horwood stars alongside Paul Chuckle in what is expected to be, if past years are anything to go by, a fab-u-lous theatrical event.
11. The Double Dealer
Venue: The Orange Tree, Richmond
Dates: 7th December 2018 - January 13th 2019
Tickets: £15
William Congreve’s Restoration comedy gets an outing at the Orange Tree, directed by Selina Caddell. Set during a house party to celebrate the arranged marriage of a beautiful young couple, things take a turn for the worse with the arrival of the Machiavellian ‘double dealer’.
12. Dick Whittington
Tristram Kenton
Venue: The Lyric, Hammersmith
Dates & Opening Times: Until 6th January 2019
Tickets: From £10
This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Lyric panto. Introduced in artistic director Sean Holmes’ first year in the job, it will also mark his final piece at the theatre. Expect the usual mix of offbeat, madcap fun, lively songs and slapstick as Dick and his friends seek to see off the dastardly King Rat. And for younger audiences, the Lyric is once again staging Raymond Briggs’ Father Christmas (until Dec 30).
