The Best Pantos in the North East and Yorkshire to Book Now
A trip to the panto is a must at Christmas
Cinderella
9th December–21st January
The Alhambra Theatre, Bradford
01274 432000
bradford-theatres.co.uk
You shall go to the ball! Bradford panto legend Billy Pearce (as Buttons) is joined by Emmerdale star Samantha Giles as The Wicked Stepmother, celebrity baker and Strictly Come Dancing finalist John Whaite as Dandini, and Yorkshire local Sarah Pearson will be this year’s Cinderella. Join Cinders as she outwits her wicked sisters and meets her Prince Charming. The clock’s ticking and tickets are selling fast!
Sleeping Beauty
28th November–7th January
Theatre Royal, Wakefield
01924 211311
theatreroyalwakefield.co.uk
In the kingdom of Wakeyland Old King Cole announces the arrival of a baby princess. The fairies are called to bless the baby but one fairy, Nocturna, has other ideas. Can the curse be broken? Can the princess be saved? Featuring all the magic and outrageous outfits that Theatre Royal Wakefield’s panto is known and loved for, you won’t want to miss this take on Sleeping Beauty.
Robin Hood: The Rock ‘n’ Roll Panto
24th November–7th January
City Varieties Music Hall, Leeds
leedsheritagetheatres.com
Robin Hood is the latest classic getting the Rock ‘n’ Roll treatment. These popular pantos have a very different format to the traditional sort, with a mix of audience participation and a jukebox full of classic rock anthems and chart-toppers. These actor-musicians are sure to put on a seriously good show, with plenty of corny comedy the whole family will love.
Cinderella
16th December–7th January
Hull New Theatre
01482 300306
hulltheatres.co.uk
Singer, actor and musical theatre star Lee Mead and Hull panto favourite Neil Hurst will be joined by Yorkshire’s wicked sisters Peter Peverley and Jack Land Noble to tell this popular fairytale in Hull this Christmas. Laugh-out-loud comedy, stunning scenery and beautiful costumes mean the whole family will enjoy this take on Cinderella.
Red Riding Hood
13th–20th January
Lawrence Batley Theatre, Huddersfield
01484 430528
thelbt.org
Huddersfield Light Opera Company are back with their 45th annual winter pantomime. Red Riding Hood plans to take a basket of goodies to her Gran who lives deep in the woods, but beware the big, bad wolf. This is a fabulously fun, traditional panto for all the family.
Hansel & Gretel
15th–20th January
The Whitby Pavilion
01947 824770
whitbypavilion.co.uk
Can Bluebell, the Fairy of the Forest, manage to rescue Hansel and Gretel before they are eaten by the Wicked Witch of the Woods? Find out, while comedy duo Nut-Meg and Basil try to sell all sorts of foolish food foraged from the forest! This sweet adventure is a totally new panto version of the classic tale, with foot-tapping songs and a whole host of characters to meet.
Beauty & the Beast
8th December–7th January
Lyceum, Sheffield
0114 249 6000
sheffieldtheatres.co.uk
Be the Lyceum’s guest for this year’s festive season. Blue’s Duncan James and CBeebies’ Jennie Dale join legendary Dame Damian Williams, comedian and ventriloquist Max Fulham and a talented ensemble in this panto which will be packed with magic and mayhem.
Robinson Crusoe and the Pirates of the River Ouse
9th December–6th January
Grand Opera House York
atgtickets.com
Fancy something a bit different? Proving age is just a number, York favourite Berwick Kaler is back with a hilarious take on the classic story of the sailor from York who finds himself marooned on a desert island. It’s a swashbuckling panto adventure you won’t want to miss.
Rapunzel
6th December–7th January
The Georgian Theatre Royal, Richmond
01748 825252
georgiantheatreroyal.co.uk
A lonely princess is trapped in a tower longing for a life of adventure. Her story will be told through song and dance, special effects and plenty of audience participation – as well as knitting and Tunnock’s teacakes! Let your hair down for this fabulously fun panto.
Beauty and the Beast
30th November–31st December
Cast Doncaster
01302 303959
castindoncaster.com
In a faraway land a self-centred prince is transformed into a hideous beast. But can a kind-hearted village girl help him mend his ways and break the spell? Doncaster’s magical pantomime is packed full of marvellous music, colourful costumes and lots of laugh-out-loud moments.
Cinderella
14th–24th December
Princess Alexandra Auditorium, Yarm
01642 792587
thepaaonline.org
Starring Benidorm singer Asa Elliott as Prince Charming and Yarm regular Tom Rolfe as Buttons, this show is full of the usual fun and chaos with one or two surprises thrown in. Will Cinderella make it to the ball? Will everyone live happily ever after? Book your tickets to find out.
Dick Whittington
22nd November–14th January
Harrogate Theatre
01423 502116
harrogatetheatre.co.uk
Join Dick (and Tammy the Cat) on the adventure of a lifetime to seek fame and fortune in London town, where the streets are apparently paved with gold! He’s going to need your help to become the Lord Mayor of London and defeat the evil King Rat. Side-splitting jokes and a bucketload of sparkle make up Harrogate Theatre’s magical pantomime this year.
Cinderella
2nd December–2nd January
Lamproom Theatre, Barnsley
01226 200075
barnsleylamproom.com
Cinderella is dreaming of a better life and after a visit from her Fairy Godmother she goes from rags to riches. This timeless story is packed with laugh-out-loud comedy and dazzling dances, and promises to be the biggest and best show in town.
Beauty & The Beast
13th December–2nd January
Bridlington Spa
01262 678258
bridspa.com
This spellbinding show will bring a tale as old as time to life in Bridlington, so join Belle and a host of characters for a fast-paced beast of a panto. Hull’s Gemma Oaten will put a spell on you, while The X Factor’s Stevi Ritchie will put his own stamp on the role of Gaston, but will there be a happy ever after?
Jack and The Beanstalk
8th December–7th January
York Theatre Royal
01904 623568
yorktheatreroyal.co.uk
Starring EastEnders’ Nina Wadia, Raven’s James Mackenzie and York favourite Robin Simpson (as the hilarious Dame Trott), stunning sets, hilarious comedy and breathtaking special effects will bring Jack and the Beanstalk to life to put on a giant of a pantomime packed with fi fi fo fun!
Cinderella
16th–28th December
The Majestic Theatre, Darlington
01325 633296
themajestictheatre.co.uk
Lovely Cinderella is doomed to live un-happily ever after with her two horrible Ugly Sisters, but with the help of her ‘silly’ friend Buttons and a ‘magical’ Fairy Godmother she manages to make all her dreams come true! We all know the story but watch it come to life in this festively fun show for all the family.
Beauty and the Beast
1st–30th December
The Round, Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough
01723 370541
sjt.uk.com
Scarbolopolis is a magical town by the sea in need of some Christmas spirit. When a family arrive in town and set up a shop selling all things sparkly, Dad enters the Everdark Forest (where a mysterious beast lives) and doesn’t come back. Join his daughter on her rescue mission in this show that takes a classic fairytale and turns it on its head.
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
8th–31st December
Darlington Hippodrome
01325 405405
darlingtonhippodrome.co.uk
Mirror, mirror on the wall, could this be the fairest panto of them all? Pop star Gareth Gates will perform alongside the magnificent seven (with plenty of audience participation) to bring this spectacular fairytale to life. Beware of Jenny ‘The Vixen’ Ryan from ITV’s The Chase, who’s playing the Wicked Queen.
Cinderella
16th–28th December
The Majestic Theatre, Darlington
01325 633296
themajestictheatre.co.uk
Lovely Cinderella is doomed to live un-happily ever after with her two horrible Ugly Sisters, but with the help of her ‘silly’ friend Buttons and a ‘magical’ Fairy Godmother she manages to make all her dreams come true! We all know the story but watch it come to life in this festively fun show for all the family.
Snow White
9th–31st December
Queen’s Hall Arts Centre, Hexham
01434 652477
queenshall.co.uk
Magic mirror, jealous step-mum, a poisoned apple, eight dwarves… hang on, you’ve never heard of the eighth dwarf? Does that mean you don’t know about the talking dog, nasty frog or exploding chicken? This isn’t the Snow White we know and love, but it sounds hilarious!
Pinocchio
28th November–14th January
Newcastle Theatre Royal
0191 232 7010
theatreroyal.co.uk
Celebrating 18 years at the Theatre Royal, Danny Adams stars as Pinocchio in a spectacular new pantomime adventure. Danny will transform from the famous puppet into a real boy and with dazzling new sets and costumes, Newcastle’s own Joe McElderry as Jiminy Cricket and Clive Webb as toymaker Geppetto, you won’t want to miss the quickest selling pantomime in the UK.
Dick Whittington
1st–17th December
The Phoenix Theatre, Blyth
01670 367228
thephoenixtheatre.org.uk
For The Phoenix Theatre’s 45th anniversary pantomime, join Dick Whittington and his sidekick Tommy on their quest for fame and fortune. Dazzling sets, spectacular costumes and plenty of laughter will lead you to London, where the streets are supposedly paved with gold.
Jack and the Beanstalk
1st–31st December
Empire Theatre, Consett
0300 0262400
empireconsett.co.uk
Every night, the sound of giant footsteps causes treetops to tremble, windows to wobble and clouds to collide, bringing giant rainstorms across the Enchanted Forest. Visitors have stopped coming to the campsite so no one has any work, and the village is running out of money – pretty soon everyone will be poor. Dame Tilly Trot thinks the noise is coming from Giant Grumblebum who was banished to live in the Kingdom of Clouds where he has slept for one hundred years – he must have been disturbed last Bonfire Night when a particularly loud banger went off, shattering the peace and quiet of the Woodlands. With lots of family-friendly fun, dazzling costumes, well-known songs and plenty of audience participation, join all your favourite characters in a panto that promises to be lots of Fee-Fi-Fo-Fun!
Cinderella
8th December–6th January
Playhouse Whitley Bay
playhousewhitleybay.co.uk
Cinderella is a family-favourite full of good old-fashioned fun and Christmas cheer. Featuring Louie Spence as the Fairy Godfather, this panto is no ordinary telling of this iconic fairytale. Except glitz and glamour as you all head to the ball – but keep an eye on that clock!
Aladdin
23rd November–6th January
The Customs House, South Shields
0191 454 1234
customshouse.co.uk
Dame Bella, her son Aladdin and her nephew Dennis are working hard at the Cooksonville Laundry, but when Aladdin gets tricked by his uncle Abanazar things go from bad to worse. Follow Aladdin into the magical Cave of Wonders and meet the Genie of the Lamp to experience a world of magic (carpets).
Peter Pan
8th December–7th January
Tyne Theatre & Opera House, Newcastle
0844 249 1000
tynetheatreandoperahouse.uk
See Peter Pan soar to new heights this Christmas. Follow the boy who never grows up and join in his adventures with Wendy as they fly off to Neverland. The X Factor and Capital Radio’s Sam Lavery plays Tiger Lily, EastEnders and Dancing On Ice’s Matt Lapinskas is Peter Pan, and CBBC’s Cleo Demetriou is Wendy.
Jack and the Beanstalk
2nd–31st December
Forum Theatre, Billingham
01642 552663
forumtheatrebillingham.co.uk
Fee, fi, fo, fum! Join Jack, Dame Trott, Simple Simon and Daisy the Cow for a thrilling adventure filled with magic beans, a castle in the clouds and a walking, talking, bad-tempered giant.
Cinderella
8th December–7th January
Middlesbrough Theatre
01642 815181
middlesbroughtheatre.co.uk
Enchanted pumpkins, sparkling glass slippers and heaps of audience participation are promised in this take on Cinderella, starring Middlesbrough’s Amelia Lily as Fairy Godmother and comedy impressionist Philip Green as Buttons.
Beauty and the Beast
8th–31st December
Sunderland Empire
atgtickets.com
Laugh-out-loud comedy, fabulous scenery and a thrilling transformation scene make up Sunderland Empire’s panto this year – a fabulously fun retelling of Beauty and the Beast. Emmerdale’s Charlie Hardwick is sprinkling her fairy dust throughout the Empire for Christmas, and the ever-fabulous Miss Rory brings the ‘glamour’ as Rorina La Plonk, and Milkshake!’s presenter Olivia Birchenough stars as bookworm Belle.
The Suggestibles’ Impro Pantso
21st & 22nd December
Northern Stage, Newcastle
0191 230 5151
northernstage.co.uk
Head to Northern Stage with your thinking caps on. Newcastle’s infamous improv comedy troupe are back this Christmas with a build-your-own panto. Taking inspiration from your suggestions, they’ll weave your ideas into a new magical, musical tale of good versus evil.
Cinderella
9th December–3rd January
The Maltings, Berwick
01289 330999
maltingsberwick.co.uk
Written and directed by The Malting’s very own Wendy Payn, this version of everyone’s favourite panto is packed with magical moments and cracking comedy. Suitable for everyone, it’s a perfect festive treat for all the family with plenty of magic and sparkle, and lots of laughter long after the clock strikes midnight.
Robin Hood
18th–24th December
Rainton Arena, Houghton
0191 584 8630
raintonarena.co.uk
Join Robin Hood as he battles the evil Sheriff of Nottingham with the help of his band of merry men (and women). But will he win the affections of Maid Marian? With a mix of live music and surprises, and plenty of laughs, families will love this fun-filled production of Robin Hood.
Cinderella
14th–24th December
Princess Alexandra Auditorium, Yarm
01642 792587
thepaaonline.org
Starring Benidorm singer Asa Elliott as Prince Charming and Yarm regular Tom Rolfe as Buttons, this show is full of the usual fun and chaos with one or two surprises thrown in. Will Cinderella make it to the ball? Will everyone live happily ever after? Book your tickets to find out.
Aladdin
5th–10th December
Bishop Auckland Town Hall
03000 269524
bishopaucklandtownhall.org.uk
Marvel at the adventures of a young lad from the Far East (of Newcastle), be amazed by the power of his magical lamp and laugh out loud at the hilarious Dame’s antics – but beware of the evil forces at play. A whole host of hilarious and colourful characters promise to keep you entertained.
