10 Pantos the Whole Family Will Enjoy this Christmas
Is it really Christmas without a trip to the panto?
The Pantomime Adventures of Peter Pan
9th December–31st December
Darlington Hippodrome
01325 405405
darlingtonhippodrome.co.uk
Stage, screen and pantomime legend, the one-and-only Christopher Biggins stars as Mrs Smee this Christmas in The Pantomime Adventures of Peter Pan. Biggins will join hero Peter Pan as he sets sail on a brand new adventure. With amazing special effects, stunning sets, beautiful costumes and barrel-loads of laughter, this panto will take your whole family on a swashbuckling trip to Neverland like never before.
Aladdin
9th December–7th January
Playhouse Whitley Bay
0844 248 1588
playhousewhitleybay.co.uk
The classic adventure story of Aladdin and his magic lamp is brought to life in a new, unique style at Playhouse Whitley Bay this Christmas. With special effects, flying carpets, fantastic scenery, dazzling costumes and all the usual comedy mayhem, this all-singing, all-dancing feel good festive treat promises to be the highlight of your year. Starring Playhouse legend Steve Walls and your favourite Dame Patsy Twankey, you don’t have to be a Genie-us to work out this is one pantomime not to be missed. What more could you wish for?
Dick Whittington
10th–24th December
The Exchange, North Shields
0191 258 4111
attheexchange.info
Dick Whittington’s heading to town to seek his fortune. He’s heard the streets are paved with gold, but it’s hard to find under all the grime… and King Rat isn’t helping either. Although he’s got his trusty cat, Dick’s going to need your help, so book your tickets now to get involved. Packed full of fabulous tunes, dancing, amazing costumes and lots of festive sparkle, plus chances to join in, this is going to be one Christmas panto not to miss.
Beauty & the Beast
3rd December–2nd January
Forum Theatre Billingham
01642 552663
forumtheatrebillingham.co.uk
Don’t miss The Forum Theatre’s most romantic pantomime, Beauty and the Beast, which promises to be a spectacular and enchanting production for the whole family. Filled with magic and monstrous fun, this is the perfect festive treat. Plenty of audience participation and lashings of laughter, combined with spectacular scenery, captivating costumes and enchanting special effects, mean this is a traditional family panto that will leave you spellbound.
Cinderella
29th November–15th January
Theatre Royal, Newcastle
0191 232 7010
theatreroyal.co.uk
This Christmas you are invited to the most spectacular ball of them all, as panto superstar Danny Adams leads the cast in a brand-new production of Cinderella. Joining Danny will be panto favourites Clive Webb and Chris Hayward, with Joe McElderry making a triumphant return as The Fairy Godfather following his acclaimed debut last Christmas. If you’ve been before, you’ll know it’s something the whole family will love, and if you haven’t yet shared the magic of a Theatre Royal panto, go and see what you’ve been missing.
The Nice List – A Magical Family Santamime
19th December
The Witham, Barnard Castle
01833 631107
thewitham.org.uk
All is going well in The Workshop until Grudge the grouchy gnome steals the nice list! After much comedy chaos, magic and mayhem, it is still nowhere to be seen. Will they find it in time? Will Christmas be cancelled? Join Santa and his cheeky elves, Peas and Carrots, live on stage at The Witham to find out. A toe-tapping, jingle-belling, Christmas cracker of a show, this is guaranteed to get you in to the festive spirit. Plus, with a free gift for each child ticket purchased and spot prizes for the best Christmas jumper in the audience too, this is a must-see, fun-filled family panto.
Jack and the Beanstalk
3rd–11th December
The Phoenix Theatre, Blyth
01670 367228
thephoenixtheatre.org.uk
This year, The Phoenix Theatre is proud to present its 44th annual pantomime and to mark the occasion they will be bringing a firm family favourite to the stage – Jack and the Beanstalk. Guaranteed to make you dance and sing your way into the festive season, go and find out what happens when Jack decides to climb the beanstalk, before meeting the giant and the goose that lays the golden eggs.
Hey Diddle Diddle
19th November–8th January
Northern Stage, Newcastle
0191 230 5151
northernstage.co.uk
This year some of the most famous faces from your favourite rhymes are coming together to present a spectacular Christmas cabaret. Headed up by Nero (a cat who plays the fiddle) and Lazzo (a little dog who loves to laugh), the pair bring together their nursery rhyme friends to share their own special stories and skills. Featuring live music, puppetry, laughter and lots of chances to join in, this 45-minute show is an ideal introduction to panto for children aged six and under.
Beauty & the Beast
9th December–8th January
Tyne Theatre & Opera House, Newcastle
0844 249 1000
tynetheatreandoperahouse.uk
Returning to Tyne Theatre & Opera House with a spellbinding pantomime, Enchanted Entertainment are bringing their performance of Beauty and the Beast to the North East this year. Starring the hilarious panto comic Charlie Richmond and social media star Lewis Denny, as well as Sugababe Amelle Berrabah (who will be the ‘Good Fairy’) this is a tale as old as time, that is sure to be a performance you’ll remember forever.
The Wind in the Willows
10th–31st December
Queen’s Hall Arts Centre, Hexham
01434 652477
queenshall.co.uk
Tired of cleaning, Mole ventures out to the riverbank, where he befriends the resourceful Ratty, the gruff Badger and the infamous Toad of Toad Hall (poop-poop!). Together this Christmas, they explore the Wide World and the Wild Wood, and try to keep Toad out of trouble… This magical retelling of an old favourite combines all the joy and mystery of Kenneth Grahame’s much-loved classic with the lightness of touch and playful theatricality that award-winning playwright Mike Kenny is best known for. A Christmas treat for all the family!
