Christmas Picks 2022


Little Red Robin Hood – | Battersea Arts Centre

Tue 6 Dec 2022 –

Sun 8 Jan 2023

Little Red Robin Hood – Battersea Arts Centre

DISASTER! The wicked Sheriff of Nottingham has captured the famous outlaw Robin Hood! Who is going to stand up for the people now? Surely not a tiny girl in a red riding hood?

Sometimes the true hero is the person you least expect, as Red Riding Hood heads into the forest to defeat the Sheriff, find her Grandma and discover her destiny.

The team behind smash hit panto-mashups ‘Goldilocks & the Three Musketeers’ and ‘Sleeping Beauty and the Beast’ return to the BAC with a hilarious new Christmas adventure, ‘Little Red Robin Hood’.

Featuring a brand new superstar cast and a host of exciting surprises, we aim to put an arrow in your bow, a song in your heart and a smile on your face – it’s an unmissable Christmas treat for all the family!

*****



Aladdin | The Brighton Centre

Thu 22 Dec –
Tue 27 Dec 2022

Aladdin – The Brighton Centre

Brighton production company E3 is bringing family panto back to its home city with a stunning new production of Aladdin.

Running at the Brighton Centre from Thursday 22nd to Tuesday 27th December (excluding Christmas Day), Christmas panto favourite Aladdin incorporates plenty of spectacular elements including jaw-dropping sets, dazzling costumes and magical special effects.

Featuring a hugely talented West End cast including Anita Dobson (Frozen, Chicago, Thoroughly Modern Milly, Hello Dolly!, Calendar Girls. Anita also starred as  Angie Watts in BBC’s Eastenders),  Mark Inscoe (Evita, Sweeney Todd, Priscilla – Queen of the Desert, Phantom of the Opera, Anything Goes, The Rat Pack – Live from Las Vegas, Sunset Boulevard, Funny Girl), alongside BBC Radio Sussex presenter Allison Ferns, the audience will be whisked away on the magical tale of Aladdin and Princess Jasmine as they embark on their love story. In true panto tradition, this one is packed full of hilarious comedy capers from Aladdin’s brother, Wishee Washee, and their eccentric but much-loved mother, Widow Twankey – possibly the funniest Dame in the land

*****


Jack and the Beanstalk | Churchill Theatre Bromley

Sun 4 Dec –
Sat 31 Dec 2022

Jack and the Beanstalk | Churchill Theatre, Bromley

King of the Ballroom and 2022 NTA Award winner Anton Du Beke will star in this year’s Churchill Theatre 3D family pantomime Jack and the Beanstalk, running throughout December 2022.

Also starring alongside Anton is Lloyd Hollett, who will be making his return to Bromley panto in the role of Silly Simon, and West End’s Rhiane Drummond.

Doomed to sell his trusty cow, join Jack and climb a beanstalk of gigantic proportions to cloudland in the spectacular 3D family pantomime Jack and the Beanstalk. Featuring special effects, plenty of audience participation and a 3D giant like never before, don’t miss out on this sensational spectacle!



The New Adventures of Peter Pan – | The Hawth, Crawley

Fri 9 Dec 2022 –

Sat 31 Dec 2022

The New Adventures of Peter Pan – The Hawth, Crawley

The ALL NEW ADVENTURES OF PETER PAN fly onto the stage at The Hawth Crawley this Christmas and we are delighted to reveal the first of the casting for the ever-popular festive treat. This year’s fun-filled pantomime will star Rita Simons, best known for her role as Roxy Mitchell in BBC’s EastEnders and her time on I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here in 2018. Rita will be The Hawth’s first ever female Captain Hook, and audiences can boo and hiss this ultimate baddie! Also starring also Strictly finalist and CBBC presenter, Karim Zeroual. 

*****



Peter Pan – The Return of Captain Hook | Fairfields Hall, Croydon

Sat 10 Dec –

Sat 31 Dec 2022


Peter Pan: The Return of Captain Hook – Fairfield Halls Croydon

UK Productions and BH Live are proud to present a super swashbuckling family adventure Peter Pan – The Return of Captain Hook, flying into Fairfield Halls Croydon from the 10th to 31ST December. The star-studded cast, headed up by EastEnders bad boy Ricky Champ as Captain Hook, promises to be a fabulous festive production with guaranteed fun, laughs and adventure! With galleons of entertainment, fantastic flying effects, an acrobatic pirate crew, and possibly the hungriest crocodile you’ll ever see, join the adventure this festive season.

Starring alongside Ricky from CBeebies Swashbuckle is Gemma Hunt as everyone’s favourite feisty fairy Tinker Bell.

Joining them CBBC and Crackerjack’s Mark Rhodes as ‘Smee’ and Channel 5 Milkshake! presenter David Ribi as ‘Peter Pan’.  Also joining the company are Ohanna Greaves as ‘Emily Darling’ and Emma Jay Thomas as ‘Mrs Darling’.

*****



Cinderella – Dorking Halls | Dorking

Sat 17 Dec –

Wed 28 Dec 2022


IT’S THE MOST MAGICAL PANTOMIME OF THEM ALL!

Come and join in the festive fun this December with the lovable Buttons, the handsome Prince Charming, the wicked Ugly Sisters, the magical Fairy Godmother and of course, the beautiful Cinderella and make it a Christmas to remember for the whole family.

Watch with amazement as Cinderella’s pumpkin and white mice are transformed into a beautiful coach and horses in this true rags-to-riches story, but will Cinderella remember to leave the ball before midnight?

From the same team behind Aladdin and Jack and the Beanstalk, Dorking Halls and Enchanted Entertainment bring the world’s best known and most loved pantomime to life.

*****



Aladdin – Devonshire Park Theatre | Eastbourne

Fri 9 Dec 2022–

Thu 15 Jan 2023


The Devonshire Park Theatre, Eastbourne pantomime for 2022 is Aladdin, full of Eastbourne adventure! Join the fabulous pantomime team for another magical tale full of laughter, singing, dancing, jokes and silliness plus one or two surprises along the way.

The cast includes new names for Eastbourne audiences, West End performer and Olivier Award winner Miles Western as Abanazaar, supremely talented Tiffany Tsang as the PrincessPlus, Leonardo Vieira as Genie of the Lamp, Leonardo last appeared in Eastbourne in the phenomenal tour of West End smash hit Bat Out of Hell in May earlier this year.

Martyn Knight’s returning for his 19th Eastbourne pantomime as Widow Twankey, plus comic Tucker as hapless son Wishee WasheeKatherine Glover’s back as the hero in high boots, Aladdin, following her last outing in Jack and the Beanstalk in 2020, Rebecca Lisewski as Genie of the Ring, who last performed in Eastbourne pantomime Peter Pan and completing the cast Adam Shorey as ‘high-tech’ comedy Policeman PC World.

A traditional tale of good versus evil, heroes and villains, magical Genie’s and a flying carpet, not to mention slapstick mess, song and dance numbers and plenty of surprises, we hope you will join us for this ‘geni-us’ pantomime (sorry, the bad puns have started already)!

The Eastbourne creative team are back to deliver yet more pantomime wonder in this most magical of tales complete with live music, sensational costumes, colourful sets and so much more.

*****



Sleeping Beauty – The Borough Hall | Godalming

Sat 10 Dec 2022–

Mon 26 Dec 2022


Following their recent popular productions of Cinderella and Jack and the BeanstalkWysch Productions present the enchanting family Pantomime Sleeping Beauty at Godalming’s Borough Hall from 10 until 26 December 2022.  

The festive favourite promises spectacular song and dance, colourful costumes and lots of fun and laughs for the whole family.  

The professional cast, with countless stage and screen credits, includes Joshua Crossley as Prince Alexander, Hannah Evans as Princess Aurora, Christy Gilbert as Fairy Fashionista, Kevin Hand as King Calico, Joe Hartley as Arachnia and Matthew Peter-Carter as Donna Kebab, with Dexter Greenwood, Elli Hosier and Charlotte Wyschna all as Ensemble and Understudies.  

Sleeping Beauty is directed by Jo Kirkland, choreographed and assistant directed by Charlotte Wyschna, cast by Denise Silvey and produced by Charlotte Wyschna and Nick Wyschna for Wysch Productions

*****



Cinderella – Capitol Theatre, Horsham

Thu 8 Dec 2022 –

Sat 31 Jan 2022

The Capitol Horsham have announced this years’ pantomime will be directed by Julie Atherton, with the script being written by Samuel Holmes.  Julie is well known for playing leading roles in plays and musicals such as MAMMA MIA! and AVENUE Q, as well as recently directing WELL BEHAVED WOMEN at Cadogan Hall and GAME THEORY at The Lowry, Manchester.

Work is already underway to create a magical pantomime in Horsham this year, with Siobhan Athwal (The Genie in ALADDIN 2021) returning to The Capitol, this time to play the title role of Cinderella.  Initial casting also includes the wonderful Emma Lindars as the Fairy Godmother.

Cinderella’s Ugly Sisters will be played by Horsham favourites Dan Smith and Antony Reed, ensuring a show full of slapstick fun, popular songs and lots of memorable moments.

Julie Atherton said “I’m over the moon to be coming to Horsham to direct their Pantomime this year. We’re already working hard assembling a brilliant cast and creative team to make sure everyone has a truly magical experience at the theatre this Christmas”.


*****



Jack and the Beanstalk | London Palladium

Sat 10 Dec 2022 –

Sun 15 Jan 2023


Michael Harrison for Crossroads Pantomimes is delighted to announce that Alexandra Burke will play Mrs Blunderbore, the Giant’s devilish wife, in Jack and the Beanstalk at The London Palladium this Christmas, joining previously announced panto favourites Dawn FrenchJulian Clary, Paul Zerdin, Nigel HaversGary Wilmot, Louis Gaunt, Rob Madge and Natalie McQueen

Once again directed by Michael Harrison, Jack and the Beanstalk will feature lavish new set designs from Mark Walters and costume designs from Hugh Durrant created especially for The London Palladium. Harrison’s production has choreography by Karen Bruce, with lighting designs by Ben Cracknell, sound designs by Gareth Owen and composition and orchestrations by Gary Hind.

Jack and the Beanstalk is produced by Michael Harrison for Crossroads Pantomimes.As a producer in the West End his credits include The Drifter’s Girl, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor DreamcoatGypsy, The BodyguardAnnie and Mel Brooks’ Young FrankensteinCrossroads Pantomimes is the world’s biggest pantomime producer and part of Crossroads Live, a global leader in the production of musical theatre and immersive entertainment experiences.

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*****



Mother Goose | Hackney Empire London


Sat 19 Nov 2022 –

Sat 31 Dec 2022

In what will be his 15th pantomime at Hackney Empire, Olivier award-winning panto royalty Clive Rowe will direct and star as the Dame, Mother Goose, with full cast and creative team to be announced. The pantomime Mother Goose was first created for another Hackney Empire legend, Music Hall comedian Dan Leno, who first performed the show in 1902. 120 years on, Hackney are proud to present the mother of all pantomimes in their 120th birthday year.

What would you do if you found a magical goose who lays golden eggs?! That’s exactly what’s in store for Mother Goose, and she soon discovered that this priceless talent isn’t all it’s cracked up to be! Packed full of all your favourite pantomime ingredients, this reimagining of the classic rags-to-riches tale is the perfect festive treat. Expect larger-than-life characters, gloriously outrageous costumes, incredible live music, uncontrollable laughter and loads of audience participation… oh yes, there definitely is.!

*****



Beauty and the Beast | E. M. Forster Theatre, Tonbridge

Fri 9 Dec 2022 –

Mon 2 Jan 2023

Beauty and the Beast – E. M. Forster Theatre, Tonbridge

Starring Darren Tough

*****

Jack and the Beanstalk | Assembly Hall Theatre, Tunbridge Wells

Sat 10 Dec 2022 –

Sat 31 Dec 2022

Jack and the Beanstalk – Assembly Hall Theatre, Tunbridge Wells

Fee Fi Fo Fum… Tunbridge Wells is in for some fun! This holiday season, the award-winning Little Wolf Entertainment are here with Jack and the Beanstalk, the biggest panto of them all!

Dame Trott and her Family have been selling ice cream at the annual fair for as long as anyone can remember. But when the ginormous giant puts the rent up, the family are forced to sell their beloved cow Pat for just a handful of beans…

Can Jack get his head out of the clouds for long enough to save the day?

*****



Sleeping Beauty | Theatre Royal, Windsor

Fri 25 Nov 2022 –

Sun 8 Jan 2023

Sleeping Beauty – Theatre Royal, Windsor

A long time ago in a Pantoland far away, a beautiful princess lived in a beautiful palace filled with laughter and joy. That is until an evil witch cursed her to sleep for a hundred long years!

Join us as the palace comes back to life this Christmas, spinning a tale which is sure to enchant you with our classic combination of dazzling dancers, stunning singing, and comedy capers!

This pantomime is suitable for all ages.

*****


Jack and the Beanstalk: The Pantomime | Pavilion Theatre, Worthing

Thu 1 Dec 2022 –

Mon 2 Jan 2023

Jack and the Beanstalk: The Pantomime – Pavilion Theatre, Worthing

Fe-Fi-Fo-Fun at the Pavilion Theatre with Jack and the Beanstalk: The Pantomime!


The GIANT Panto you’ve BEAN waiting for! Jack and the Beanstalk promises to be a fantastic family pantomime full of magic, fun and laughter.

Starring
Mark Read (A1)
Dave Benson Philips (TV presenter, entertainer)
Katie Pritchard (West End Actress/comedian)

*****