IT would not be Christmas without pantomimes. Trying to resist its charms is more pointless than telling Widow Twanky that Abanazar is behind her, so embrace the family fun and check some of these out.
CINDERELLA
Where? The Orchard Theatre, Dartford
When? December 14 to January 4
Tickets? £14 to £36.50 at orchardtheatre.co.uk or 01322 220000.
THE Chase, Law and Order UK and Corrie star Bradley Walsh is the star turn in the Orchard’s version of Cinderella. He stars alongside West End actress Louise English as the Fairy Godmotherand Barry Hester as Dandini. We’ve chatted to Bradley ahead of his turn as Buttons – read the interview with him here.
Tickets are selling fast, so get in quick. And don’t forget to pick up a packet of pumpkin seeds from the ticket office to grow your own carriage to the ball.
PONY PANTO
Where? The Albany, Deptford
When? December 5 and 6
Tickets? £12 or £10 concessions at thealbany.org.uk or 020 86924446.
MORE one for the grown-ups, The Albany welcomes Ireland’s pioneers of comedy dance, Ponydance, to give their signature take on the traditional panto.
The award-winners’ absurd show will be an alternative Christmas party, where you can expect outlandish dance, outrageous behaviour and plenty of belly laughs.
CINDERELLA
Where? The Churchill Theatre, Bromley
When? November 29 to January 5
Tickets? £10.90 to £34.90 at atgtickets.com/Bromley or 08448 717 620
BROMLEY’S very own Royal ball will star Dancing on Ice and Eastenders’ Matt Lapinskas as Prince Charming searching for the love of his life, Cinderella, played by Anna Williamson from Daybreak, CITV and Nickelodeon.
Having been so well received as Smee in last year’s Peter Pan, Balamory’s Andrew Agnew returns as Buttons. Expect ugly sisters, an evil stepmother and plenty of fun.
We chatted to the cast of Cinderella. Read the interview here.
PUSS IN BOOTS
Where? Greenwich Theatre
When? November 21 to January 5
Tickets? £21, £27 or £19, £25 concessions, children’s tickets half price, at greenwichtheatre.org.uk
A RAZOR-sharp script by one of the country’s best-loved pantomime dames, Andrew Pollard, who also stars, brings the classic tale of a poor young man whose fortunes are transformed with the help of a talking cat to Greenwich Theatre. Eschewing the big name stars, the theatre concentrates on creating and astonishing show, with help from magic consultants Simply Told and bespoke puppetry from Gomito and The River People.
SLEEPING BEAUTY
Where? Catford Broadway Theatre
When? December 13 to December 31
Tickets? From £11 at broadwaytheatre.org.uk or 020 8690 0002
TV presenter, comedian and musician Richard Blackwood stars in the Broadway’s take on Sleeping Beauty this year.
The classic tale of a girl who falls asleep for 100 years is packed with comedy, slapstick humour and big characters like Nurse Katie Cough-Drop and Blackwood as Muddles.
READ VIBE'S INTERVIEW WITH RICHARD HERE
BEAUTY AND THE BEAST
Where? The Woodville, Gravesend
When? December 14 to January 4
Tickets? Go to woodville.co.uk or call 01474 337774
A HANDSOME prince is cursed to spend the rest of his life as a hideous beast in the Woodville’s panto, just part of Gravesham’s massive Christmas.
Discover if Beauty and her friends, the ‘glamorous’ Dame Dorothy Do-It B.U.M (Buster of Unsightly Mess) and her witless son, Willy Do-It, can outwit the arrogant bully Eugene and his sidekick Pimple to lift the curse.
PETER PAN
Where? Ashcroft Theatre, Fairfield Halls, Croydon
When? December 6 to January 5
Tickets? £17 until December 13, £20 to £28 after, with lots of concession offers, at Fairfield.co.uk or 020 8688 9291
NEVERLAND comes to Croydon this Christmas. Last year’s Dartford panto star, Eastenders’ Phil Mitchell, Steve McFadden, is Captain Hook while much-loved Dame Quinn Patrick returns to the Fairfield as Mrs Smee.
It promises to be packed with swashbuckling fun, fantastic flying, plenty of audience participation and a hungry crocodile.
THE MYSTERY OF IRMA VEP: THE PENNY DREADFUL
Where? The Brockley Jack Studio Theatre
When? December 11 to January 4
Tickets? £14, £10 concessions at brockleyjack.co.uk or 0844 8700887
THE JACK’S alternative Christmas outing, written by Charles Ludlam and directed by Kate Bannister, promises a festive season of mayhem, murder and mystery in the gothic horror tour-de-force.
Egyptologist Lord Edgar brings his new bride Lady Enid to the Hillcrest family home. But a dark shadow hangs over them in the shape of Irma Veep, Lord Edgar’s first wife who died in suspicious circumstances.
ONE SNOWY NIGHT
Where? The Albany, Deptford
When? December 10 to December 29
Tickets? £9.50, children under 12 £8 at thealbany.org.uk or 020 8692 4446
IT may not be a panto but it is family-friendly and fun.
This cosy Christmas tale is based on the best-selling books by Nick Butterworth, is full of songs to sing along to, furry friends to meet and blankets to be tucked up in.
Percy the park keeper always feeds the animals in the park where he lives, and one cold winter’s night he has to save his friends Squirrell, Fox, Badger, Hedgehog and friends.
BEAUTY AND THE BEAST
Where? Erith Playhouse
When? January 4 to January 18
Tickets? £9 and £10 by calling 01322 350345
IT’S a tale as old of time that’s been transformed into a pantomime.
Erith Playhouse has given the traditional tale a makeover with colourful characters to delight everyone. Expect ugly sisters, housekeeper Dame Lucy Lastic, two would-be suitors and beast.
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