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!
Aladdin, Newcastle Theatre Royal
25TH NOVEMBER–18TH JANUARY
theatreroyal.co.uk
Enter a whole new world with Aladdin, a spectacular pantomime celebrating Danny and Clive’s 20th year at Newcastle Theatre Royal! Michael Harrison’s magical retelling, set in the Kingdom of Pantomania, brings together fairytale favourites, dazzling sets, and a flying carpet like never before. This hilarious, high-energy adventure is packed with music, magic, and mischief. A Genie-us panto for the whole family!
Jack and the Beanstalk, Gala Durham
20TH NOVEMBER–31ST DECEMBER
galadurham.co.uk
This pantomime is packed with fi fi fo fun. When Jack is offered some magic beans by a mysterious stranger, you’ll be transported to a land of magic – and a very hungry giant. Expect a giant twist on this classic story.
Sleeping Beauty, Sunderland Empire
12TH DECEMBER–4TH JANUARY
atgtickets.com
Call the Midwife’s Laura Main is the star of Sunderland Empire’s pantomime, Sleeping Beauty. West End Star Jordan Lee Davies plays wicked villain Carabosse, and Milkshake! presenter, David Ribi is Prince Vincent. With Wearside panto favourites, Miss Rory as Rorina the Cleaner and Tom Whalley, you’re always guaranteed a good laugh.
Goldilocks and the Three Bears, The Customs House, South Shields
21ST NOVEMBER–3RD JANUARY
customshouse.co.uk
The circus is coming to South Shields. In The Customs House’s pantomime, Goldilocks and the Three Bears, Dame Bella the queen of the big top is fighting to save her beloved circus with her sidekick Dennis – but can she? And what really happens when Goldilocks meets three bears?
Cinderella, Seaton Delaval Arts Centre
28TH NOVEMBER–6TH DECEMBER
seatondelavalartscentre.com
Seaton Delaval Arts Centre is Hardup Hall this Christmas, where Cinderella is generally having a hard time. Will she ever meet her Prince Charming? Maybe, with some magical intervention from her Fairy Godmother, her father the Baron, and her lovable best friend Buttons. Book your ticket to the ball now.
Goldilocks and the Three Bears, Darlington Hippodrome
5TH–31ST DECEMBER
darlingtonhippodrome.co.uk
Former Strictly Come Dancing pro and Dancing on Ice finalist Brendan Cole is the Evil Ringmaster in Darlington Hippodrome’s panto this year, where anything’s possible at the circus. Expect comedy, special effects, stunts and international circus acts in this take on Goldilocks and the Three Bears.
Beauty and the Beast, Playhouse Whitley Bay
5TH DECEMBER–3RD JANUARY
playhousewhitleybay.co.uk
BAFTA award-winning CBBC star Dani Hamer (best known as Tracy Beaker) is Playhouse Whitley Bay’s Belle in this pantomime take on Beauty and the Beast. Expect laughs, joy and touch of magic in this Blue Genie Entertainment production.
The Further Pantomime Adventures of Peter Pan, Forum Theatre Billingham
1ST DECEMBER–4TH JANUARY
forumtheatrebillingham.co.uk
Liberty X’s Gateshead-born Michelle Heaton plays Tinker Bell in Billingham’s panto The Further Pantomime Adventures of Peter Pan this Christmas, alongside Coronation Street’s Pat Phelan as Captain Hook, Tracy Beaker Returns and The Dumping Ground’s Jessie Williams as Angela Darling, and Hollyoaks and Waterloo Road star Ben-Ryan Davies as Peter Pan. It promises to be fun for the whole family.
Cinderella, Tyne Theatre & Opera House, Newcastle
5TH DECEMBER–4TH JANUARY
tynetheatreandoperahouse.uk
You shall go to the ball! Starring Maureen Nolan as the Fairy Godmother and Britain’s Got Talent winners Twist & Pulse, Tyne Theatre & Opera House’s Cinderella will bring magic and mayhem to Newcastle. Coming from the same team behind last year’s magical production of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, we’re expecting great things.
Jack and the Beanstalk, Tynemouth Priory Theatre
9TH–18TH JANUARY
tynemouthpriorytheatre.co.uk
In the village of Little Knaphill, times are tough for Jack Trott and his family so he trades Daisy, their cow, for a handful of 'magic beans' from a mysterious stranger. Follow him up the beanstalk to a magical land in the sky to outwit Slyrot, rescue the Princess, and defeat the Giant in true panto style.
Aladdin, The Phoenix Theatre, Blyth
6TH–28TH DECEMBER
thephoenixtheatre.org.uk
It’s a whole new world at The Phoenix Theatre, Blyth with its pantomime Aladdin celebrating the power of friendship, love and adventure. Expect dazzling costumes, spectacular sets and fun for all the family.
Beauty and the Beast, Northern Stage, Newcastle
4TH DECEMBER–3RD JANUARY
northernstage.co.uk
Northern Stage’s Christmas show is a festive tradition for many, and this year it’s a retelling of Beauty and the Beast. Far from Newcastle, you’ll find yourself in rural France as the Prince hopes to lift a fairy’s beastly spell and Beauty finds herself in a spot of trouble.
Sleeping Beauty, York Theatre Royal
2ND DECEMBER–4TH JANUARY
yorktheatreroyal.co.uk
CBeebies’ Jennie Dale is Fairy Moonbeam in this Sleeping Beauty pantomime, also starring York panto favourite Robin Simpson and a couple of West End stars. This promises to be a fun-filled festive treat for the whole family.
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, The Alhambra Theatre, Bradford
6TH DECEMBER–18TH JANUARY
bradford-theatres.co.uk
The Alhambra Theatre’s star-studded panto cast includes star of stage and screen Myra DuBois and pop icon Sinitta with Yorkshire panto legend Billy Pearce. Alongside the magnificent seven, they’ll tell the story of Snow White in true panto style.
Beauty and the Beast, Lawrence Batley Theatre, Huddersfield
1ST DECEMBER–4TH JANUARY
thelbt.org
In this take on Beauty and the Beast (which seems to be a popular choice amongst panto creators this year), Belle is your standard Huddersfield lass, and loves a good book, but she could be the cure to a prince’s beastly curse. Prepare to be spellbound.
Dick Whittington, Bridlington Spa
12TH DECEMBER–4TH JANUARY
bridspa.com
Swapping his boxing gloves for King Rat’s cloak (boo!), Hull's hometown hero Tommy Coyle is becoming a villain and hoping to be a total knockout in this pantomime. Dick Whittington is always a popular pantomime and this version will feature special effects and plenty of audience participation.
Snow White, Rotherham Civic Theatre
29TH NOVEMBER–4TH JANUARY
rotherhamtheatres.co.uk
Mirror, mirror on the wall, could this be the fairest panto of them all? Produced by Blue Genie Entertainment in partnership with Rotherham Civic Theatre, follow Snow White as she meets her new friends, and help her escape the Wicked Queen’s evil plans.
Aladdin, Lyceum, Sheffield
5TH DECEMBER–4TH JANUARY
sheffieldtheatres.co.uk
Starring ex Strictly pro Kevin Clifton and CBeebies' star Evie Pickerill, Sheffield’s fun-filled family pantomime, Aladdin, is sure to entertain. Hop on your magic carpet to Lyceum and don’t miss it.
Cinderella, Grand Opera House York
6TH DECEMBER–4TH JANUARY
atgtickets.com
Planning to put on the city’s biggest Christmas show, Grand Opera House York are relying on West End talent for this year’s panto, alongside Corrie legend Lisa George as Cinderella’s Fairy Godmother. Join the audience and you’re bound to have a ball.
Jack and the Beanstalk, Theatre Royal Wakefield
25TH NOVEMBER–4TH JANUARY
theatreroyalwakefield.co.uk
With a new script, sparkling sets, and one of Yorkshire’s favourite dames, the classic tale of a boy, his magic beans, and a fi-fi-fo frightening giant will be reimagined with a Wakefield twist this Christmas.
Beauty and the Beast, Hull New Theatre
10TH–31ST DECEMBER
hulltheatres.co.uk
Coronation Street's Sue Cleaver and Yorkshire’s own comedy legend Paul Chuckle are the stars of Hull New Theatre’s Beauty and the Beast. Can Belle see beyond the beast and fall in love before the last petal falls from the enchanted rose?
Aladdin: The Rock 'n' Roll Panto, City Varieties Music Hall, Leeds
28TH NOVEMBER–11TH JANUARY
leedsheritagetheatres.com
Not your average panto, The Rock 'n' Roll Panto turns your favourite tales into a jukebox of rock anthems and top hits – perfect for music lovers. This year, Aladdin is getting the Rock 'n' Roll treatment complete with cheesy jokes and audience participation.
Beauty and the Beast, The Victoria Theatre, Halifax
12TH DECEMBER–4TH JANUARY
victoriatheatre.co.uk
A traditional family pantomime, The Victoria Theatre’s Beauty and the Beast will feature slapstick comedy, audience interaction, and musical numbers throughout. Can village girl Belle see beyond appearances, and can you help her save the beast?
Cinderella, Cast, Doncaster
28TH NOVEMBER–4TH JANUARY
castindoncaster.com
You shall go to the ball if you book tickets to Cast, Doncaster’s panto this year, and so will Cinderella thanks to her Fairy Godmother. This take on the timeless family favourite will feature toe-tapping tunes and a touch of magic.
