Evenings may still just about be light, the kids are only just back at school and we’ve not even had Halloween but it is already nearly time for panto…oh yes it is.
But what show is on at your local theatre and which celebs are starring in it? We’ve saved you literally minutes of Googling and brought all of south London, north Kent and north Surrey’s big pantomimes together in one handy place.
GRAVESEND - The Woodville – Jack and the Beanstalk, from December 10 to January 2
Fresh from his starring role in jukebox musical Save the Last Dance For Me, Blue’s Antony Costa stars in Gravesend’s panto alongside The Voice finalist Jaz Ellington as King Crumble and the town’s own Olivier Award-winning actress Leanne Jones as the fairy. Tickets cost from £16. Go to Woodville.co.uk
DARTFORD – Orchard Theatre – Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, from December 10 to 31
Veteran squeaky voiced comedian Joe Pasquale makes the short trip from home in Rochester for a Christmas run that’s sure to be fun in Dartford. Tickets cost from £18. Go to orchardtheatre.co.uk
BROMLEY – Churchill Theatre – Peter Pan, from December 9 to January 7
A high-flying production of Peter Pan stars Strictly Come Dancing judge Craig Revel Horwood as Captain Hook, Britain’s Got Talent impressionist Paul Burling as Smee and ventriloquist Dawson Chance and ‘willy’. Tickets cost from £18. Go to churchilltheatre.co.uk
GREENWICH – Greenwich Theatre – Peter Pan: A New Adventure, from November 18 to January 8
Prepare for take-off in Greenwich too with another high flying adventure. As it has been for the past decade, the show is adapted and directed by and stars Andrew Pollard as the dame. And as usual there is no star name but that doesn’t stop it being one of the best pantos in the country. Last year’s Little Red Riding Hood sold out 71 of its mega 75 show run. Tickets cost £29 adults. Go to greenwichtheatre.org.uk
CROYDON – Waddon Leisure Centre – Aladdin, from December 7 to 31
With Fairfield Halls shut, Pauline Quirke’s Q Productions has stepped in, with the backing of Fairfield Trust and Fusion Lifestyle, to keep panto alive in Croydon. A star name is to be announced and Waddon Leisure Centre will be transformed into a 400-seat theatre. Tickets cost from £16.50. Go to aladdincroydon.com
WIMBLEDON – New Wimbledon Theatre – Dick Whittington, from December 9 to January 15
Always one of the country’s biggest and starriest pantos, the usual A-lister is yet to be announced but Matthew Kelly has already been lined up as the dame. Tickets cost from £12. Go to atgtickets.com/Wimbledon
RICHMOND – Richmond Theatre – Sleeping Beauty, from December 2 to January 8
A stellar cast includes Olivier Award winning stage and film star Maureen Lipman as the Wicked Fairy alongside CBeebies favourite Chris Jarvis as Chester the Jester. Tickets cost from £17. Go to atgtickets.com/Richmond
WIMBLEDON – Polka Theatre – How to Hide a Lion, from October 26 to February 26
Helen Stephens’ popular book about her mission to hide a furry friend is brought to life for three to six year olds (plus special toddler performances from children aged from one) with humour, puppetry and songs. Tickets cost from £9. Go to polkatheatre.com
WIMBLEDON – Polka Theatre – Babe, The Sheep Pig, from November 25 to February 25
For the slightly older children – aged five to 11 – Dick King Smith’s story about a little pig who is brought up like a dog again features plenty of fun, puppetry and music. Tickets from £14 (or £12 concessions). Go to polkatheatre.com
EPSOM – Epsom Playhouse – Aladdin, from December 16 to January 8
Boom! Heavy D, of Storage Hunters and Celebrity Big Brother fame, is the headline act in the Epsom panto. Tickets cost from £13. Go to epsomplayhouse.co.uk
KINGSTON – Rose Theatre – The Wind In The Willows, from December 6 to January 3
As usual, the Rose opts for a Christmas show rather than a panto with Kenneth Grahame’s story of Toad, Ratty, Badger and Mole being adapted by Ciaran McConville, who tackled Dickens’ A Christmas Carol last year. Tickets cost from £5. Go to rosetheatrekingston.org
TUNBRIDGE WELLS – Assembly Hall – Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, from December 9 to January 2
Hi-de-hi’s Su Pollard leads the cast which also includes CITV and Nickelodeon’s Jamie Rickers. Tickets cost from £18. Go to assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk
SEVENOAKS – Stag Theatre – Sleeping Beauty, from December 2 to January 8
EastEnders’ Fat Boy aka actor Ricky Norwood, who was recently in the Celebrity Big Brother House, stars alongside 90s pop sisters Cleopatra. Tickets cost from £21. Go to sevenoakspanto.com
LEATHERHEAD – Leatherhead Theatre – Beauty and the Beast, from December 20 to 30
CBeebies’ Rebecca Keatley will magically appear as the magic mirror in a special effect during Leatherhead Theatre’s panto. Tickets cost from £12.50. Go to theleatherheadtheatre.org
DORKING – Dorking Halls – Dick Whittington, from December 17 to 28
Dorking’s version of Dick Whittington boasts the same team behind previous years’ Cinderella and The Wizard of Oz. Tickets cost from £16. Go to dorkinghalls.co.uk
WOKING – New Victoria Theatre – Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, from December 10 to January 8
Warwick Davis, of Star Wars and Life’s Too Short fame, lends some star power to the classic tale with comedian Andy Ford also in the cast. Tickets cost from £14. Go to atgtickets.com/new-victoria-theatre
Like our What's On page on Facebook for entertainment news, interviews, reviews and features from across south London.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel