The Best Pantos Across the North East and Yorkshire This Christmas
This time of year just isn't the same without panto. Oh no it isn't!
Mother Goose
21ST NOVEMBER–5TH JANUARY
The Customs House, South Shields
customshouse.co.uk
Panto lovers are invited to Cooksonville this Christmas where Dame Bella’s Zoo is facing hard times. Her nephew stumbles across a goose whilst walking across the Cleadon Hills, which appears to be the answer to all their problems if they can avoid the evil Demon Gander who’s trying to steal her. Hopefully magical spirit Twyleth can ensure a happy ending to this tale.
Red Riding Hood
12TH–30TH DECEMBER
Alnwick Playhouse
alnwickplayhouse.co.uk
With a twist on the classic fairytale, Alnwick Playhouse’s magical Christmas production of Red Riding Hood promises to be a tree-mendous treat that the whole family can sink their teeth into. On her way to her Gran’s house, a young girl crosses paths with a very smelly and hungry wolf, and so the story everyone knows and loves unfolds – but this reimagining puts the wolf on trial. The question is, who’s really the big and bad character in this story? You decide!
The Little Mermaid
26TH NOVEMBER–12TH JANUARY
Newcastle Theatre Royal
theatreroyal.co.uk
This show is sure to make a splash. Last year’s Theatre Royal panto, Pinocchio, smashed box office records and this year Danny Adams, Clive Webb and Joe McElderry return to the stage with their take on The Little Mermaid. Hilarious panto favourite Danny plays Ariel’s best friend Danny Crabstix who must help her to fight off the evil sea witch when she steals her voice.
Jack and the Beanstalk
13TH DECEMBER–5TH JANUARY
Sunderland Empire
atgtickets.com
Emmerdale’s Matthew Wolfenden is loveable hero Jack in this popular panto and he’ll join the North East Queen of Comedy, Miss Rory, as Dame Rorina Trott and the hilarious Tom Whalley as Silly Simon. When a henchman kidnaps a cow and a princess from Boggy Bottom, Jack’s adventure begins. Audiences are told to expect ‘amazing 3D effects,’ whatever that means!
Cinderella
7TH & 8TH DECEMBER
Bishop Auckland Town Hall
bishopaucklandtownhall.org.uk
Will Cinderella get to the ball? Will the ugly sisters get their comeuppance? I think we all know the answers to that! Will Buttons finally get his girl? Unlikely… but we’re excited to see this take on the tale from Mendes Management. Music and panto magic will bring the story to life.
Beauty and the Beast
21ST NOVEMBER–31ST DECEMBER
Gala Durham
galadurham.co.uk
From the team that brought you Cinderella comes Gala Durham’s roar-some twist on a tale as old as pantomime, Beauty and the Beast. In a small village in Durham lives Belle, renowned for her brains and beauty far and wide. In Pity Me lies an abandoned castle, a magical place inhabited by weird talking inanimate objects and a terrifying beast! Will Belle solve the mystery of Pity Me Castle and escape the evil Gourmand? Come along and enjoy this roaringly beautiful show!
Cinderella
4TH DECEMBER–5TH JANUARY
Forum Theatre Billingham
forumtheatrebillingham.co.uk
You shall go to the ball this Christmas, thanks to Forum Theatre Billingham! Cinderella works night and day but when she gets her hands on an invitation to the royal ball it seems things might be looking up. With help from Buttons and her fairy godmother, can Cinderella stop her wicked stepsisters’ plans? This panto, complete with dazzling costumes, toe-tapping tracks and stunning scenery, is a charming Christmas treat. The clock’s ticking so get your tickets now.
The Adventures of Sinbad
7TH–31ST DECEMBER
The Maltings Berwick
maltingsberwick.co.uk
Panto audiences are heading out on the High Seas this Christmas at The Maltings with this swash-buckling comedy. In The Adventures of Sinbad there’s a mystery to solve with a map and a key. There’ll be pirates and mermaids and some not-so-friendly characters along the way, so get ready to ‘boo’ and join the crew.
Snow White & The Seven Dwarfs
6TH DECEMBER–5TH JANUARY
Tyne Theatre & Opera House, Newcastle
tynetheatreandoperahouse.uk
Mirror, mirror on the wall, could this be the best panto of them all? With Britain’s Got Talent: The Champions winners Twist and Pulse as the Wicked Queen’s henchmen, Enchanted Entertainment are bringing another fabulously fun show to Tyne Theatre & Opera House for Christmas. Expect fabulous dance routines!
Cinderella
10TH–19TH JANUARY
Tynemouth Priory Theatre
tynemouthpriorytheatre.co.uk
Directed by Beccy Gilmore, Tynemouth Priory Theatre’s charming panto is a take on the popular fairytale Cinderella featuring drama, comedy, thrills and spills. Meet her loyal friend Buttons and magical Fairy Godmother when you go to the ball.
The Suggestibles’ Impro Pantso
19TH & 20TH DECEMBER
Northern Stage, Newcastle
northernstage.co.uk
Newcastle’s infamous comedy troupe, The Suggestibles, will return for their 17th year to create chaos with Northern Stage’s A Christmas Carol set. Expect spontaneous songs and wild characters in this unscripted, uncensored take on a panto, where anything can happen and Bah Humbugs will become belly laughs. Leave the kids at home – this one’s for adults only.
Peter Pan
14TH DECEMBER– 5TH JANUARY
The Victoria Theatre, Halifax
victoriatheatre.co.uk
Slapstick comedy and musical numbers make up this panto which is aiming to be ‘the best panto in Calderdale’. When Wendy and her brothers meet Peter, they find their way to Neverland, but the island is under threat. Can you help them help Peter and the Lost Boys to defeat Captain Hook?
Dick Whittington
2ND–31ST DECEMBER
Lawrence Batley Theatre, Huddersfield
thelbt.org
Dick Whittington is off on an epic quest from Huddersfield to London, where he’s heard the streets are paved with gold. Join Dick and his cat to see if he can find the fame and fortune he seeks in Lawrence Batley Theatre’s paw-sitively purrfect (and award-winning) Christmas panto.
Jack and the Beanstalk
29TH NOVEMBER–5TH JANUARY
Cast Doncaster
castindoncaster.com
Fi fi fo fum, we’re sure this panto will be plenty of fun. After a handful of magic beans grow into an enormous beanstalk overnight, this giant of a panto invites you to join Jack on an adventure to save his kingdom. But can he succeed?
Aladdin
3RD DECEMBER–5TH JANUARY
York Theatre Royal
yorktheatreroyal.co.uk
With CBeebies and CBBC star Evie Pickerill as Spirit of the Ring starring alongside York panto favourite Robin Simpson, this year’s York Theatre Royal panto is Aladdin. As usual audiences can expect special effects, laugh-out-loud comedy and spellbinding sets for what could be their most magical panto yet.
Sleeping Beauty
6TH–31ST DECEMBER
Darlington Hippodrome
enjoydarlington.co.uk
Actor and musical theatre star Lee Mead and panto legend Su Pollard lead this show with Mamma Mia: I Have a Dream star Stephanie Costi in the title role. When Princess Aurora is given a present for her 21st birthday by her evil Aunt Carabosse she’s forced to sleep for 100 years. Only true love will break the spell.
Goldilocks and the Three Bears
11TH–31ST DECEMBER
Hull New Theatre
hulltheatres.co.uk
Strictly pro and Dancing on Ice finalist Brendan Cole is the Evil Ringmaster in this take on Goldilocks and the Three Bears. For three weeks the theatre will become a circus for a show filled with stunts from international circus acts. This story is a reimagining where Goldilocks’ circus is under threat from an evil rival circus owner, and three bears might be able to help.
Treasure Island
4TH DECEMBER–5TH JANUARY
The Georgian Theatre Royal, Richmond
georgiantheatreroyal.co.uk
All aboard for The Georgian Theatre Royal’s panto, with swash-buckling escapades and treasure to find. Book your tickets now to set sail on a fun-filled adventure in Treasure Island. The Georgian Theatre Royal’s pantos aren’t complete without the unique knitted element, and this year, the theatre is appealing for knitted or crocheted ice creams which will be used during the 57 performances of Treasure Island.
Beauty and The Beast
7TH DECEMBER–5TH JANUARY
Grand Opera House York
atgtickets.com
In this new take on Beauty and The Beast, Belle, The Beast, Fairy Bon Bon (Tracy Beaker’s Dani Harmer), Polly La Plonk and her son Louis La Plonk are all transported to a cursed castle, under the spell of an evil enchantress. But will Belle melt the Beast’s heart with her beauty?
Snow White
6TH DECEMBER–5TH JANUARY
Lyceum Theatre, Sheffield
sheffieldtheatres.co.uk
Lyceum Theatre’s spectacular, fun-packed, family pantomime is Snow White! Starring Catherine Tyldesley (Strictly Come Dancing, Coronation Street) as the Wicked Queen, Gladiator’s Viper Quang Luong, Sheffield’s favourite Dame, Damian Williams and Sheffield’s own, Matthew Croke, plus Marc Pickering, George Akid and Aoife Kenny. Once again, the show will be written by Paul Hendy and produced by Evolution Productions, the same team that brought you last year’s smash-hit show.
Cinderella
26TH NOVEMBER–5TH JANUARY
Theatre Royal Wakefield
theatreroyalwakefield.co.uk
Dust off your glass slippers because you shall go to the ball. Theatre Royal Wakefield’s panto this year is a tale of rags to riches. Glitzy sets, creative costumes and toe-tapping music (plus all the silly jokes you expect from panto season) will tell Cinderella’s story.
Pinocchio
7TH DECEMBER–19TH JANUARY
The Alhambra Theatre, Bradford
visitbradford.com
Corrie star Chris Gascoyne (as the evil Stromboli) and Aussie drag queen Courtney Act (as the Blue Faerie) star in The Alhambra Theatre’s new panto Pinocchio this year. Bradford’s panto legend Billy Pearce leads the cast as toymaker Geppetto to tell the story of the famous puppet who becomes a real boy whose nose grows when he lies.
Jack and The Beanstalk
14TH DECEMBER–5TH JANUARY
Bridlington Spa
bridspa.com
‘Boo’ Corrie and Emmerdale’s Bill Ward when he plays the the giant’s sidekick, Fleshcreep, in Bridlington’s Jack and The Beanstalk. Jack has to find the courage to slay the evil giant to win the hand of the Princess and save his village, but can you help him succeed? Dame Dolly and Daisy the Cow will provide plenty of laughs along the way.
