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Ultimate panto and Christmas show guide

As festive lights make our towns glow, markets open their shutters and families nationwide gear up for the Christmas period, another pantomime season arrives. Here’s our comprehensive guide to this years best pantomimes in south-west London and Surrey.

5 – 8 December

Peter Pan, Putney Arts Theatre

This Christmas, JM Barrie’s much-loved tale takes flight and visits Putney Arts Theatre for a panto special. Performed by Group 64’s 8-18 year olds it is a Christmas adventure for the whole family to enjoy! So, what can you expect? Well, when Peter Pan, leader of the Lost Boys loses his shadow during his visit to London, headstrong Wendy helps him re-attach it. In return, she is invited to experience Neverland- where Tinkerbell, Tiger Lily and the vengeful Captain Hook await! What will happen next?

Adults £12, concession £8, Group 64 Members £5. More info.

 

6 December – 5 January

The Snow Queen, The Rose Theatre

Be enchanted by Hans Christian Andersen’s powerful tale, The Snow Queen. It is about Gerda, an orphan who discovers that she is no ordinary teenager, but a child of magic, hidden from the reaches of the evil Snow Queen. When her friend is stolen by the cold-hearted Snow Queen, Gerda must find the strength and courage to travel across the lands to save him. With live music, song and characters all ages will love, this beautiful adaptation will warm hearts this Christmas, even the cold ones!

From £10. More info.

 

6 – 31 December

Jack and the Beanstalk, The Harlequin Theatre

This is a giant pantomime adventure you don’t want to miss out on this festive season. This Christmas, join The Harlequin hero Jack on the adventure of a lifetime as he climbs the beanstalk to fame, fortune and true love! Featuring stunning scenery, dazzling costumes, spectacular singing and dancing together with plenty of traditional pantomime mayhem and laughter – something for all the family.

From £10. More info.

 

6 December – 5 January

Sleeping Beauty, Yvonne Arnaud Theatre

When evil fairy, Carabosse doesn’t receive an invitation to Princess Aurora’s christening, she casts a curse on her. Can the Good Fair and Muddles protect Aurora? Will the Prince save the day? With award-winning choreography, fabulous sets, sparkling costumes, magical illusions and enough laughter to wake up even the sleepiest of princesses, this year’s Sleeping Beauty is a must-see for all the family. Stars include X Factor finalist, Holly Tandy as Sleeping Beauty and Eagle Radio’s Peter Gordon.

From £23. More info.

 

7 December – 6 January

Aladdin, New Victoria Theatre

Produced once again by Qdos Entertainment, the world’s biggest pantomime producer and the team behind the annual New Victoria Theatre pantomime, it welcomes childhood favourite, Aladdin. This spectacular family panto is everything you could wish for and it welcomes a few celebrities to its stage, including Strictly Come Dancing professional Brendan Cole, hilarious funny man Bobby Davro, CBBC star Mischa Eckersley, and newly announced Aladdin, Pearce Barron. So, grab onto your seats, and set sail for Old Peking in this magical pantomime adventure with the family.

From £13. More info.

 

7 – 14 December

King Arthur in Space, Hampton Hill Theatre

Fancy something different this festive season? Perhaps an old fashioned, futuristic pantomime is more up your street. Join Teddington Theatre Art Club to help cheer the clean-cut Arthur and space vixen Gwen, boo the evil and greedy Mrs Morgan and her comedy henchmen as they re-imagine the Arthurian legend with added robots, aliens and Merlin, the talking computer. However, there will still be the pantomime conventions you’d expect including bad jokes, plenty of audience participation and a few surprises!

Adult £17, Concession £9, Members £13. More info.

 

7 December – 5 January

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Richmond Theatre

This festive season you are definitely in for a treat at the Richmond Theatre. For starters, award-winning comedian, writer and presenter Jo Brand will star as The Wicked Queen. She will be joined by panto favourite and Britain’s Got Talent finalist Jon Clegg who returns for his 19th consecutive year to star as Snow White’s best friend, Muddles. Expect to be on the edge of your seats from start to finish as you enjoy a show packed full of magical mirrors, seven friendly dwarfs, an abundance of comedy, and sensational song and dance routines.

From £12. More info.

8 December

Aladdin, Cranleigh Arts Centre

Join TaleGate Theatre Productions for their third year at Cranleigh Arts Centre this Christmas for a pantomime you don’t want to miss.  Help Aladdin and his Mum, Widow Twankey, beat the evil Abazanzar to the magic lamp and win the hand of beautiful Princess Jasmine. Cranleigh Arts Centre says, ‘Aladdin’ promises to be our funniest and most spectacular pantomime ever! Packed with songs, slapstick, silliness, audience participation and all the fairy-tale magic of traditional pantomime! This fun-filled extravaganza is guaranteed to delight the whole family.

Adult £14.50, Child £12. More info.

 

10 – 14 December

Jack and The Beanstalk, Nomad Theatre

There will be magic beans this year for the showcasing of Jack and The Beanstalk at The Nomad Theatre. Jack, the Dame and the cow adventure up the beanstalk to defeat the evil Giant. But will Jack win his girl’s heart and the riches he so badly needs? Will good prevail over evil? Come and support this community, not-for-profit theatre group for lots of laughs! As they say, ‘Panto has never BEAN more fun!’

Adult £16, Child/Student £12. More info.

 

10 December – 5 January

Cinderella, Phoenix Concert Hall, Fairfield Halls

Fairfield Halls and Imagine Theatre know how to put on a show and this year it brings to you the most magical pantomime of them all, Cinderella. A brand new exciting production features TV star and Strictly winner Ore Oduba making his pantomime debut as Dandini alongside hilarious comedian and presenter Tim Vine as the lovable Buttons and CBeebies Cat Sandion will be making magic as the Fairy Godmother. It is a perfect family day out to enjoy side-splitting comedy, stunning special effects and big song and dance numbers that will thrill everyone!

From £15. More info.

 

14 December – 5 January

Peter Pan, Epsom Playhouse

One of the greatest fairy tales of all time, Peter Pan has continued to captivate audiences for over 100 years. This faithful award-winning musical adaptation is a festive adventure, perfect for the whole family. So, get all your friends and family together to join Peter Pan and his fairy friend Tinker Bell this festive season for an epic journey you do not want to miss!

From £14.50. More info.

14 – 29 December

Aladdin, Dorking Halls

Don’t miss another fun-filled pantomime from the same team that created Dorking Hall’s record-breaking Christmas production last year, Beauty and the Beast. This spectacular festive treat will entertain you with great songs, amazing dance routines to get you up on your feet and lots of laughter. It features Harry Reid, from EastEnders, playing Aladdin and The Spirit of the Ring will be played by Jenny Richardson, who plays Ethel in CBBC’s The Worst Witch. Dorking Halls guarantees you to laugh at, ‘Dotty Widow Twankey, boo at the ever so evil Abanazar and cheer and help hero Aladdin.’

Adult £20, Concessions £18. More info.

 

7 December – 5 January

Cinderella, New Wimbledon Theatre

You are never too old to go to a pantomime and this year, why not make it a family celebration not to forget. Join Cinderella as she goes from rags to riches, outwits her wicked sisters and meets her dashing Prince Charming. Of course, Wimbledon theatre never disappoints, so it will be packed with all of the traditional pantomime ingredients audiences expect. But that is not all, this spectacular show includes an abundance of celebrities, including Samantha Womack from EastEnders as The Wicked Stepmother, Lesley Garrett as The Fairy Godmother, Pussycat Dolls’ Melody Thornton as Cinderella and back again as Button, Pete Firman!

From £13. More info.

20 – 30 December

Sleeping Beauty, The Leatherhead Theatre

Sleeping Beauty is coming to Leatherhead and yes, it’s that time of year again of ‘Oh no it isn’t, oh yes it is, Oh’… you get the idea! So, what is in store? The evil Queen Maleficent will stop at nothing to rule the Kingdom of Nod! But will the Kingdom of Nod wake up in time to see a certain young Princess be rescued by a handsome Prince? all on the eve of her eighteenth birthday?

Adult £18.50, Child £16.50. More info.

 

10 – 18 January

Puss in Boots, Haslemere Hall
Who said the panto season is over? Looking for plenty of laughs to beat the winter blues? Look no further than Haslemere Hall.  Filled to the brim with magic, make believe and madcap mayhem, Puss in Boots is guaranteed to delight and leave you ‘feline like the cat’s whiskers’. So, strap on your best boots and book your tickets for a ‘purrfect’ pantomime performance to kick start 2020 with a bang!

From £8.50. More info.

 

Is your Christmas sorted? Look ahead to the new year with our pick of south-west London & Surrey’s best ways to see in 2020 here.